i 




Class JHlS ^ 

Book_t~Bii5_W_6 



Edition limited to two hundred 
and fifty numbered copies, 
of which this is number 




.\ 



The 
Bar of Rye Township 

Westchester County 
New York 




An Historical and Biographical Record 
1660-1918 

Arthur Russell Wilcox 

" There is properly no history, only biography." — Emerson 






Copyright, 191 8 

BY 

ARTHUR R. WILCOX 



/ 



■2^ 



i-o 



Ubc "ftnicftctbocftcr press, tKz\o aoch 



TO 

MY MOTHER 

THIS VOLUME IS LOVINGLY AND .VFFECTIONATELY 

INSCRIBED 



" Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise 
whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is 
often a real loser — in fees, expenses and waste of time. As a 
peacemaker, the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good 
man. Never stir up litigation. A worse man can scarcely be 
found than one who does this. Who can be more nearly a fiend 
than he who habitually overhauls the register of deeds in search of 
defects in titles, whereupon to stir up strife and put money in his 
pocket? A moral tone ought to be enforced in the profession 
which would drive such men out of it." — Lincoln. 



Foreword 

This work, undertaken chiefly as a diversion, 
soon became a considerable task, but none the less 
a pleasant one. It is something which should have 
been done long since. The eminence of some of 
Rye's lawyers fully justifies it. It is far from 
complete. Indeed, at this late day it could not be 
otherwise; records have disappeared, recollections 
have become dim, and avenues of investigation are 
closed. Some names, perhaps, have been rescued 
from oblivion. Others must be forever lost. It is 
hoped the information here gathered will serve as an 
incentive to further investigation on the part of 
others. 

In the preparation of this volume, recourse has 
been had to Mr. J. Thomas Scharf 's History of West- 
chester County, and particularly to the admirable 
article therein entitled " The Bench and Bar of West- 
chester County," by Mr. Justice Isaac Newton Mills; 
to the exceedingly valuable and unique History oj 
Rye, by the Rev. Charles W. Baird, D.D.; to the 
History oj Westchester County, by the Rev. Robert 
Bolton; and to numerous other publications, such as 
state papers, civil lists, gazetteers, and the like, as 
well as to court records, documents, and other papers. 



Foreword 

Valuable assistance has been rendered by Mr, A. P. 
French, of Port Chester, an authority on historical 
and genealogical research. Kindly consideration 
has been accorded and much aid given by members 
of the Bar and others, and to all such the com- 
piler extends hearty thanks and makes grateful 
acknowledgment. 

Port Chester, N. Y. 
April, 1 91 8. 



vni 



" But I say to you, and to our whole country, and to all the 
crowned heads and aristocratic powers and feudal systems that 
exist, that it is to self-government — the great principle of popular 
representation and administration — the system that lets in all to 
participate in the counsels that are to assign the good or evil to all 
— that we may owe what we are and what we hope to be." — Daniel 
Webster. 



IX 



Contents 






PAGE 


Foreword 


vii 


List of Illustrations 


xiii 


The County of Westchester .... 


I 


The Town of Rye 


7 


The Courts 


26 


Biographies of the Judiciary and Deceased 




Lawyers 


33 


Biographies of Living Lawyers 


172 


Appendix 


331 


Index of Biographies 


343 



List of Illustrations 

p 
JOH^ Jay Frontispiece 

County Court House at Bedford . 

Second County Court House at White 
Plains ...... 

Another View of the Second County Court 
House at White Plains 

Another View of the Second County Court 
House at White Plains, after it had 
Fallen into Disuse 

Third County Court House at White Plains, 
IN 1858 



10 



12 



Third County Court House at White Plains, 
ABOUT Twenty Years ago . 

Third County Court House at White Plains 

WITH New Supreme Court Building . 14 

Present County Court House ... 16 

Another View of the Present County 

Court House .... 18 

xiii 



Illustrations 



Charles Washington Baird, D.D. 

Square House, Rye .... 

DeSoto House, Port Chester 

Liberty Square, Port Chester, about Sixty 
Years ago .... 

Final Sitting of the Westchester County 
Court of Sessions 

Supreme Court Justice Martin Jerome 
Keogh 



Surrogate William Allen Sawyer 
Nehemiah Brown .... 
Amherst Wight .... 
William Patterson Van Rensselaer 
Charles Thorne Cromwell . 
Edward Pitkin Cowles . 
Daniel Haight .... 
Amherst Wight, Jr. . . . 
Samuel William Johnson 
John Edward Parsons . 

John Erving 

Hanford Mead Henderson . 



PAGE 

20 
22 
24 

26 

28 

44 

50 

80 

86 

90 

92 

98 

106 

no 

1x6 

118 

126 

130 



Illustrations 




Maurice Dillon .... 


PAGE 


Cornelius Eugene Kene 


. 148 


Edward Boies Cowles . 


. 150 


Alonzo Draper .... 


. 154 


Ernest Peck 


164 



XV 



The Bar of Rye Township 



The County of Westchester 

Westchester (formerly West Chester) County, prob- 
ably named after the town of West Chester, which 
presumably was named in honor of Chester, England, 
possesses the distinction of being one of the twelve 
original counties of the State of New York under the 
English rule, having been erected by an act of the 
general assembly passed November i, 1683, which 
was confirmed by a later act passed October, 1691. 
Its limits, as originally fixed, are still substantially 
the same, with the exception of its southern portion, 
which became part of the city of New York. The 
town of West Chester was selected as the county or 
shire town, and there, according to the records, the 
first court of sessions of the peace was held June 3, 
1684. The records do not disclose the name of the 
presiding judge, but it is possible that it was John 
Pell, of Pelham, who, on August 25, 1688, was 
appointed judge of the court of common pleas of the 
county, with authority to associate with himself two 
or more justices of the peace. A court house was 
I I 



The Bar of Rye Township 

erected at West Chester, and courts continued to be 
held therein until February 4, 1758, when the build- 
ing was destroyed by fire. A court of sessions was 
also held at Eastchester, or East Chester. The last 
session of the court at West Chester was held No- 
vember 6, 1759. 

By an act of the assembly, passed December 16, 
1758, a new site for a court house and an appropri- 
ation of one thousand pounds toward erecting the 
court house and a gaol, were authorized. The White 
Plains was selected as the place, and on November 
7» 1759. the first session of the court of common 
pleas was held in the new court house. At that time 
The White Plains, as it was called, was a part of the 
town of Rye, as was also Harrison, then called 
Harrison's Purchase. To Dr. Robert Graham, who 
resided at The White Plains, is mainly due the credit 
of having the place of the county seat selected, and 
it was he who gave to the county the site upon which 
the court house was erected. In this movement 
he was ably assisted by John Thomas, who lived in 
Harrison's Purchase. It was not until 1788 that 
the towns of White Plains and Harrison were formed. 
Thus it will be seen that for a time, Rye was the 
town of the county seat. It may, furthermore, be as- 
serted that the town of Rye was really the birthplace 
of the State of New York, because it was at the 
court house at The White Plains, on the 9th day of 
July, 1776, that the Declaration of Independence was 
received by the provincial convention of New York 
State, then in session there, and the document read 
2 



THE COUNTY COURT HOUSE AT BEDFORD 

in which the first session of court was 

held January 28, 1788 



The Bar of Rye Township 

in front of the building, the convention pledging 
its support to the Declaration and to the patriot 
cause. This convention, which had been in session 
in New York City, was compelled to adjourn its 
meeting elsewhere as that city was threatened by the 
British. This court house was located on the site 
now occupied by the armory on South Broadway, 
White Plains. 

This historic structure was set on fire by a detach- 
ment of Continental troops from New England on 
the night of November 5, 1776, shortly after the 
battle of White Plains, which occurred October 28th. 
Much controversy has been waged over this event, 
some claiming that it was a miHtary necessity in 
order to prevent the building from falling into the 
hands of the British and thereby providing them 
temporary shelter, others claiming that it was a 
wantonly unnecessary act. The latter contention is 
probably the correct one. Fortunately the records 
of the courts and the provincial convention were 
removed before the destruction of the court house 
took place. 

During the war, the courts were held in the Pres- 
byterian Church in Bedford, until the destruction of 
that edifice by the British in 1779. From then until 
November, 1784, they were held in the meeting house 
in Upper Salem. A legislative act of April 11, 1785, 
ordered them to be held in the Presbyterian meeting 
house at Bedford until the court house should be 
rebuilt. 

By an act of May i, 1786, the sum of eighteen 
3 



The Bar of Rye Township 

hundred pounds was appropriated for the erection of 
another court house at White Plains and also one 
at Bedford. In the Bedford court house the first 
session of the court was held January 28, 1788, while 
in the White Plains court house a session was held 
May 26th, following. Courts were held alternately 
at these places for many years. The second court 
house at White Plains, occupied the site of its pre- 
decessor. It is a matter of regret that this historic 
site was not preserved as the permanent site of the 
county court buildings. 

In 1854, the second court house ended its exist- 
ence, as such, and the construction of a third 
one on Railroad Avenue, now the site of the 
present court house, was commenced, which was 
completed in 1857. The amount appropriated to 
cover the cost of this building was $120,000. A 
Hall of Records, which is still standing, was erected 
as a wing in 1894. I^^ I907» ^^ extension to this 
hall of records, as well as a large wing in the 
rear, opposite, called the Supreme Court Build- 
ing, was erected, at a total cost, with equipment, 
of some $700,000. These buildings are also still 
standing. 

The holding of court at Bedford was discontinued 
by Chapter 550 of the laws of 1870. The fifth county 
court house gave way, in 191 5, for the seventh 
(counting the Supreme Court Building) and present 
court house. This last, constructed and furnished 
at an expense of about $600,000, stands on the site 
of its predecessor. Mr. Justice Mills, who delivered 

4 



THE SECOND COUNTY COURT HOUSE 

AT WHITE PLAINS 

in which the first session of court 

was held May 26, 1788 

{By courtesy of Mr. John Rosch) 



The Bar of Rye Township 

the address on the occasion of laying the corner 
stone of this building, said : 

"If we could and should strike those events from 
the history of our state and country without possi- 
bility of duplication elsewhere, then indeed would it 
be true that we would to-day have no State of New 
York and no nation of these United States of 
America." 

In referring to the fifth court house, now gone 
forever, he said: 

"Whatever others may think, from the day when, 
in October, 1876, a young law student just admitted 
to the Bar, I first turned eyes upon it from the 
street in front of it, until when, last May, I beheld 
it for the last time, I have always thought it, espe- 
cially in front, to be of great architectural beauty, 
with perfect appropriateness to its setting. The 
solidity and the soundness of the structure have 
recently been illustrated in the fruitless attempts to 
tear it down by ordinary means. I confess a feeling 
of sorrow and pain that in these new plans the 
Commission and the Board of Supervisors have not 
found it possible to retain that front. For thirty 
years and more I toiled at my profession at the Bar 
and upon the Bench within those old, grim, gray 
walls, and I love them to-day, as I ever shall, at least 
in memory, 'from turret to foundation stone.'" 

The population of Westchester County, in 1698, 
was 1063; in 1723, 4409; in 1771, 21,745; in 1800, 
27,373; in 1850, 58,263; in 1900, 183,375; and in 
1915, 321,713. 

5 



The Bar of Rye Township 

The first lawyer of whom any record can be 
obtained, who practiced in the county, was Samuel 
Clowes, of Queens County. Moving to Westchester 
County, he appears to have been the leading lawyer 
there from 1717 to 1744, and doubtless was the first 
prosecuting attorney of the county. 

Westchester County is included in the second 
judicial department of which there are four within 
the State, and in the ninth judicial district, of which 
there are nine. The justices of the Supreme Court 
of the ninth judicial district are Isaac N. Mills, 
Mount Vernon ; Joseph Morschauser, Poughkeepsie ; 
Arthur S. Tompkins, Nyack; Martin J. Keogh, New 
Rochelle; J. Addison Young, New Rochelle; WilHam 
P. Piatt, White Plains; and Alfred H. F. Seeger, 
Newburgh. WiUiam A. Sawyer, of Port Chester, is 
Surrogate of the county, while Frank L. Young, of 
Ossining, is County Judge. Other county officers are 
Daniel J. Cashin, County Clerk, James K. Apgar, 
Register, and Charles E. Nossiter, Sheriff. The 
twenty-fourth and twenty-fifth Congressional dis- 
tricts include portions of Westchester County. 
Benjamin L. Fairchild, of Pelham, represents the 
former, and James W. Husted, of Peekskill, the latter. 
George A. Slater, of Port Chester, is State Senator, 
representing the twenty-fourth Senatorial district, 
which comprises all of Westchester County. Mem- 
bers of the assembly from the districts included in the 
county are WilHam J. Fallon, Michael Trahan, Jr., 
George Blakely, R. G. Burnett, and William Belknap. 



Another View 

of 

THE SECOND COUNTY COURT HOUSE 

AT WHITE PLAINS 



The Town of Rye 

What is now the town of Rye, so often referred to 
as "The Border Town," was called by the Indians 
Peningo, with an island on the east called Manussing, 
now Manursing. The country lying between the 
Hudson and Byram Rivers was claimed by a part 
of the Mohegan tribe. The date of settlement 
takes us back to the time when the Dutch were still 
in possession of the province they called New Nether- 
land. Half a century had elapsed since these shores 
were discovered by Hendrik Hudson. It was in the 
last days of the Dutch rule on this continent that 
a little company of New England men from the 
neighboring town of Greenwich ventured to establish 
themselves here. 

On the 3rd day of January, 1660, we find Peter 
Disbrow in treaty with the Indians of Peningo Neck, 
for the purchase of that tract of land. East of Pe- 
ningo Neck lay the island (about a mile in length) 
called Manussing, for the purchase of which on June 
29, 1660, we find that Peter Disbrow, with John Coe 
and Thomas Stedwell, concluded a treaty with the 
Indian proprietors. Our settlers thus acquired the 
lower half of the present territory of the town be- 
tween Blind Brook and the Sound, or Byram River, 
7 



The Bar of Rye Township 

together with the adjoining island of Manussing. 
By deed dated May 22, 1661, they bought the land 
lying farther north between the same streams. These 
three purchases completed the territory of Rye on 
the east side of Blind Brook, and also took in a 
part of the town of Greenwich. Within little 
more than a year after the last purchase, our planters 
bought from the Indians the lands on the west side 
of Blind Brook extending to Mamaroneck River 
and indefinitely beyond, upon which the town of 
Rye subsequently founded its claim to the territory 
now known as Rye Neck and to the present town- 
ships of Harrison and White Plains. In these lat- 
ter transactions John Budd takes the lead instead 
of Peter Disbrow. His first treaty with the Indians, 
dated November 8, 1661, secured him the tract of 
land called by the Indians, Apawamis, and by the 
white men, Budd's Neck, bounded on the east by 
Blind Brook and west by the little stream whose 
Indian name was Pockcotessewake, since known 
as Stony Brook or Beaver Meadow Brook. North- 
ward it extended as far as the Westchester Path, 
and southward to the sea. This land now con- 
stitutes the southwestern part of the town. The 
Westchester Path was originally an Indian trail 
that led from Manhattan island to a "wading 
place" not far from the present Byram bridge, 
and thence into Connecticut. A second deed exe- 
cuted a few days later related to the islands 
known as Hen and Pine Islands and The Scotch 
Caps. This transaction was followed in a few days 



The Bar of Rye Township 

by the purchase of the West 'Neck or the tract of 
land adjoining Budd's Neck proper, and lying 
between Stony Brook and Mamaroneck River. The 
last of these purchases, made June 2, 1662, by Budd 
with the three other purchasers, is the first occasion 
upon which these four names appear together. The 
settlers then bought the tract of land above the 
Westchester Path and west of Bhnd Brook or directly 
north of Budd's Neck, the territory of the present 
town of Harrison. Four years after, the Indians 
confirmed the tract to Budd alone as included in the 
grant which they had already made to him individu- 
ally, November 8, 1661, of a tract of land extending 
"northward into the country," sixteen miles from 
the Westchester Path. Thus by three distinct grants 
from the Indians our early settlers were secured 
in possession of the territory which was afterward 
given to Harrison and his associates. 

These Indian purchases occupied, it appears, a 
period of two and one-half years. Meanwhile the 
three purchasers who were living in Greenwich when 
the first two treaties were made, had come down 
with some others to the island of Manussing and 
were already preparing to cross over to the main. 
By the several purchases above recorded, the found- 
ers of this town acquired title to a very considerable 
territory. The southern part of it alone comprised 
the tract of land between Byram River and Mamaro- 
neck River, while to the north it extended twenty 
miles, and to the northwest an indefinite distance. 
These boundaries included, besides the area now 



The Bar of Rye Township 

covered by the towns of Rye and Harrison, much of 
the towns of North Castle and Bedford, in New 
York, and of Greenwich, in Connecticut, whilst 
in a northwesterly direction the territory claimed 
was absolutely without a fixed limit. Except along 
the seaboard, the country was almost unknown. 

It was probably in the summer or fall of the year 
1660 when the settlement on Manussing Island 
was commenced. Disbrow and his companions were 
all living at Greenwich and undoubtedly came in 
boats. An Indian village had formerly stood on the 
southerly part of the island. The settlers gave 
the island village the name of Hastings, unquestion- 
ably after the seaport on the English Channel, and it 
is fair to infer that someone at least of the settlers 
came from Hastings, in Sussex, England. Part of 
the mainland received this appellation together with 
the island. For two or three years the planters 
confined themselves to their insular home. They 
were soon joined, if not accompanied at the outset, 
by other adventurers. The inhabitants of Hastings 
before long took steps to place themselves under the 
protection of the colony of Connecticut, and seek 
the rights and privileges of a fully constituted 
town. Richard Vowles was chosen to go to Fairfield 
and there he qualified as "constable" for the plan- 
tation. On October 8, 1663, upon petition of the 
settlers, the general court at Hartford appointed 
John Budd commissioner for the town of Hastings, 
investing him with " magistraticall " power within 
the Hmits of that town. Connecticut at the same 
10 



THE THIRD CO UNT Y CO UR T HO USE 

AT WHITE PLAINS 

in 1858, shortly after its erection 

{By courtesy of Mr. Join: Rosch) 



The Bar of Rye Township 

time re-asserted its claim to the territory west of this 
place, the general court declaring that "all the land 
between West Chester and Stamford doth belong 
to the Colony of Connecticut." The little village 
now rejoiced in something like a well ordered social 
state. It had a magistrate "commissioned to grant 
warrants" and also, in case of need, "to marry 
persons." About the year 1664, the colony was 
joined by several new families. There was no room 
for them on the island, as fourteen or fifteen families 
already occupied its narrow limits. The new comers 
were therefore appointed their home lots on the 
coast. 

Thus by the year 1665, there had sprung up two 
infant settlements within the bounds of Hastings, one 
on the island and the other on the shore of Peningo 
Neck, stretching across to BUnd Brook. The latter 
we find had begun to be known by the name of Rye. 
It is supposed that this name was given in honor 
of two prominent members of the colony, Thomas 
and Hachaliah Browne. They were sons of Mr. 
Thomas Browne, a gentleman of good family from 
Rye, in Sussex, England, who removed to this 
country in 1632, and settled at Cambridge, Massa- 
chusetts. On May 11, 1665, the general court of 
Connecticut passed an act merging these two settle- 
ments under the name which the town has borne 
ever since. Within the next five or six years the 
village on Manussing Island ceased to be. Most of 
the planters who had remained there until now, came 
over and united with their new associates in building 
II 



The Bar of Rye Township 

up the present site of the village. Still, as late as 
1720, the island had a population sufficiently large 
to erect a pound. 

From now on the town grew, but far from rapidly, 
and its progress was fraught with difficulties, trou- 
bles, and probably at times jealousies. In 1720, King 
George granted patents for Peningo Neck and Budd's 
Neck. These are recorded in the book of patents, 
Albany, No. 8, at pages 391 and 375, respectively. 

Many of the inhabitants, in the early days, possibly 
not unlike those of to-day, aspired to pubHc office, 
and there seems to have been an unusual number 
of offices within the gift of the people, because we 
find the inhabitants, in about 1700, when there were 
some sixty persons paying county rents, making 
choice of the following officers: a Supervisor; five 
Townsmen or Selectmen ; a Constable ; a Town Clerk 
or Recorder ; two Assessors ; two Listers ; two Pound- 
ers; two Fence-viewers; three Sheep-masters; and a 
Collector. With a Justice of the Peace, besides two 
Deputies to the General Court, and any number of 
"layers out " of public lands and roads, to say nothing 
of the captain, lieutenants, ensigns, and sergeants of 
the "train-bands," there seems to have been official 
business of some sort or other for nearly every 
member of the little commonwealth. 

The town clerk was perhaps the most important 
of these village worthies. Only two persons filled 
the office during the first three quarters of a century. 
John Brondige was probably chosen to this office in 
the early days of the settlement. Of him we find 
12 



THE THIRD COUNTY COURT HOUSE 

as it appeared about twenty years ago 

{By courtesy of Mr. I. N. Boyce) 



The Bar of Rye Township 

mention as town clerk in 1678. He remained in 
office probably till the time of his death, in 1697, 
and was succeeded by Samuel Lane, who was town 
clerk until 1736. 

Town meetings were held from time to time, and 
on these occasions selectmen presided. As early 
as 1705, the town chose trustees or overseers of the 
town. Justice was administered by a magistrate 
known at first as the commissioner. In 1697-98, the 
general court of Connecticut substituted for this 
office that of justice of the peace. The first com- 
missioner appointed for Hastings at Rye, in 1663 
and 1664, was John Budd. He was followed by 
Lieutenant Joseph Horton, in 1678, and in 1698, 
pending the return of the town to Connecticut, the 
general court appointed to the office of justice of the 
peace, then newly created, Deliverence Brown, who 
was continued in office by the provincial government 
of New York and remained justice until 17 16. 

It is said that the early settlers of New England 
towns were fond of litigation, and it is presumed 
that Rye was not free from this weakness. Several 
suits of the date of 1678 and after are referred to in 
the records as having been tried at the county court, 
Fairfield. Execution is granted to sundry persons 
and levied by Lieutenant Joseph Horton or by the 
constable. Robert Bloomer appears as defendant in 
most of these cases, but in his turn enters a complaint 
for defamation. Also there appears an occasional 
entry making known the connubial infehcities that 
prevailed in some dwellings, the community being 
13 



The Bar of Rye Township 

warned not to "sell, barter, or trade, directly or 
indirectly, " with the wife of the signer. The town, 
in 1739, and two subsequent years, elected a "public 
whipper. " Thomas Rickey and Samuel Bumpas 
were the persons chosen to this office. 

November 28, 1683, Rye was ceded to the province 
of New York. During the twenty years of their 
connection with the colony of Connecticut, from 
1664 to 1683, the inhabitants sent one of their 
number, and sometimes two, to the legislature each 
year. John Banks, Peter Disbrow, and Timothy 
Knap served most frequently as deputies. 

The town of Rye from the first was concerned in a 
boundary dispute which has been pronounced "one 
of the most remarkable on record. " This concerned 
the line separating the Dutch territory of New 
Netherland, afterward the British Province of New 
York, from the Colony of Connecticut. Contention 
waged over this boundary for a period of more than 
seventy years, the line at length being fixed in 1731, 
but even since then there have been changes made in 
it. The story of the boundary dispute can only be 
briefly alluded to here. 

The first proposal to adjust the differences between 
the Dutch and the English came from Peter Stuy- 
vesant in 1650. His conference with the English, at 
Hartford, resulted in fixing a line which should 
"begin at the west side of Greenwich Bay, being 
about four miles from Stamford, and so run a north- 
erly line twenty miles up into the country, and after 
as it shall be agreed by the two governments of the 

14 



THE THIRD CO UNT Y COURT HO USE 

With the new Supreme Court Building 

in the rear, in igoy 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Dutch and of New Haven, provided the said line 
come not within ten miles of Hudson River. " This 
agreement never was sanctioned by the governments 
at home. A second conference took place October 13, 
1663. The Dutch, soon vanishing from the scene, 
a conflict of claims now began among the English 
themselves. In 1662, King Charles II. had made 
a grant to the Connecticut Colony, and in 1663, one 
to his brother, the Duke of York and Albany! It 
developed that the King had granted to his brother 
the greater part of what by a solemn charter he had 
only a few months before granted the colony of 
Connecticut. On September 7, 1664, the city of 
New Amsterdam surrendered to Colonel Richard 
Nicolls, and on October 12, 1664, the whole of New 
Netherland became subject to the Duke of York's 
government, the administration of the province 
devolving upon Nicolls. The inhabitants of the 
Connecticut colony, alarmed at the disregard of their 
rights, appointed delegates for the purpose of settling 
the boundary with the Duke's commissioners. Oc- 
tober 28, 1664, the commissioners fixed the line at a 
distance of twenty miles east of the Hudson River, 
running parallel with that stream northward from 
Long Island Sound. An agreement to this effect was 
written out, but never received the signatures of the 
parties. The treaty actually signed a few weeks later 
described an entirely different line, namely, running 
from the mouth of the' Mamaroneck River north- 
northwest to the line of Massachusetts, which at that 
time extended westward to the Pacific. The course 



The Bar of Rye Township 

of this line would now cross Westchester County, 
pass near Peekskill, cross the Hudson River, pass 
near West Point, and end a considerable distance 
beyond and some twenty miles west of the Hudson 
River. This division caused Rye to be annexed to 
Connecticut and constituted a portion of Fairfield 
County. November 24, 1683, articles were con- 
cluded between Governor Dongan and council and 
the Governor and delegates of Connecticut, by which 
the dividing line was placed very nearly where it 
has remained ever since. It was agreed that the line 
should run as originally intended, about twenty 
miles east of the Hudson River, but it was soon found 
that this would inflict serious injury upon Connecti- 
cut, because she had long before planted several 
towns beyond the limits thus defined. It was there- 
fore conceded that these five towns should remain 
a part of Connecticut, the boundary being so traced 
as to exclude them from the province of New York, 
and as an offset New York was given an equivalent 
tract from Connecticut. A strip of land along the 
boundary north of the excepted towns was to be 
measured off just wide enough to embrace as many 
acres (61,440) as that contained, and this tract 
lying beyond the required distance of twenty miles 
was to belong to New York. It measured two miles 
in width and over fifty miles in length, extending 
north to the Massachusetts boundary. This arrange- 
ment, pleasing to the towns placed within the 
Connecticut colony, was not agreeable to Rye and 
Bedford, which were as heartily attached to that 
16 



THE LAST AND PRESENT COUNTY COURT 

HOUSE 

recently completed and furnished at a cost of about 

$600,000, showing also the Supreme Court Building 

in the rear 

{By courtesy of Mr. I. N. Boyce) 



The Bar of Rye Township 

colony as were the other towns. Governor Treat, 
of Connecticut, sought the acquiescence of Rye and 
Bedford in the change. But besides their unwilHng- 
ness to submit, the inhabitants took courage from the 
fact that the agreement by which they were set off to 
New York did not receive the sanction of the authori- 
ties at home, and for want of this ratification the 
towns of Rye and Bedford now boldly declared the 
arrangement to be null and void, and asserted their 
independence of New York and allegiance to Connec- 
ticut. For ten years disaffection had smouldered, and 
now came the outbreak. John Harrison, of Flush- 
ing, Long Island, had applied, in 1695, to the Gover- 
nor of New York for a patent of lands which he had 
purchased from an Indian who claimed to be their 
proprietor. These lands were a part of the town of 
Rye and had been purchased long before by some 
of its proprietors. Governor Fletcher granted them 
to Harrison and his associates, wholly setting at 
naught the just claims of the people of Rye. Upon 
this added grievance they revolted. On January 
19, 1697, Rye, with Bedford, applied to the general 
court of Connecticut to be taken back under its 
care and was received. For nearly four years these 
towns remained as part of Connecticut. The 
matter was finally referred to the Crown, and on 
March 29, 1700, the King approved and confirmed 
the agreement of 1683 and 1684, whereby Rye 
and Bedford were included in New York, and on 
the loth of October, following, the general court at 
Hartford released Bedford and Rye from all alle- 
17 



The Bar of Rye Township 

giance. Their revolt therefore was brought to an 
end and the inhabitants seem to have yielded with- 
out demur to the final decision of their case by the 
Crown. Yet for thirty years more, until the com- 
pletion] of the boundary survey in 1 731, there was 
an unsettled feeling among them relative to their 
political state. At a town meeting held April i, 
1699, a committee was appointed "to agree with 
Greenwich men to run the preamble line." At a 
similar meeting held November i, 1707, a committee 
was chosen to agree with Greenwich men to settle 
and run the line between the towns of Greenwich 
and Rye. In May, 1717, the inhabitants of Rye 
petitioned the general court at Hartford to settle 
the disputed boundary, and while a line was fixed 
the dispute was still not terminated. In October, 
1 718, commissioners appointed by the two govern- 
ments met at Rye but failed to agree upon a method 
of procedure. In 1722, the inhabitants of Rye near 
Byram River again claimed that they were assessed 
by the government of Connecticut. In April, 1725, 
commissioners met again in Rye and a survey was 
commenced but the work was suspended. It was 
resumed in the spring of 1 731, and in that year 
completed. There it remained without disturbance 
but not without dispute concerning its location, 
until 1855, when the general assembly of Connecticut 
ordered a new survey. Soon after the New York 
Legislature took similar action. The commissioners 
could not agree, however, as to the method of running 
the new fine, and nothing was done. In August, 
18 



Another View 

of 

THE PRESENT COUNTY COURT HOUSE 

{By courtesy of Mr. I. N. Boyce) 



The Bar of Rye Township 

1859, new commissioners were appointed but still no 
agreement was reached. In 1 860, the New York Leg- 
islature again authorized a survey, and this was com- 
pleted in the autumn of that year, and ratified by both 
States in 1879, and by Congress in 188 1. The bound- 
ary was last defined as late as 1913 (Laws of N. Y., 
^ 1913, ch. 18). Curious indeed it is, that, according to 
Pellew, John Jay's "official or pubhc Hfe began with 
his appointment, February 17, 1773, as Secretary to 
the Royal Commission, to determine the disputed 
boundary between New York and Connecticut." 

Reference should here be made to the Rye Parish 
which is so often mentioned in early times. By an 
act passed in 1693, by the Colonial Assembly, Rye 
Parish was made to include Rye, Mamaroneck, and 
Bedford. This would also take in The White Plains, 
Harrison, and Scarsdale. This continued until 1784. 
The rector at Rye exerted a wide and sometimes a 
powerful influence. The rectors who officiated over 
Rye Parish, with the dates of their induction, were 
Rev. Thomas Pritchard, 1704, Rev. George Muirson, 
1705, Rev. Air. Reynolds, 1709, Rev. Christopher 
Bridge, 1710, Rev. Robert Jenney, 1722, Rev. James 
Wetmore, 1726, Rev. Ebenezer Punderson, 1763, and 
Rev. Ephraim Avery, 1765. Baird says that Wet- 
more, Punderson, and Avery were buried in a small 
plot of ground on the westerly side of Blind Brook, 
nearly opposite the church, and that Muirson and 
Bridge were buried underneath the church. The 
first church, built in the time of Rev. Muirson, was 
located where Christ's Church now stands. 
19 



The Bar of Rye Township 

The history of the town of Rye, after 1700, is 
part of the history of Westchester County. Of the 
many events which have taken place here since then, 
much can be and has been written, but they cannot 
here be recounted. Suffice it to say that the town 
slowly gathered strength, grew and developed, but 
not without hardship, discouragement, and suffer- 
ing. The days of the Revolution, and before and 
after, were trying, perilous times for the inhabitants. 
Rye was the scene of many conflicts during those 
times. The Church of England, representing the 
Crown, powerful and influential, being established 
here, made it doubly hard for the natives to espouse 
the patriot cause. There was great division of feel- 
ing in the town. To the Jays, the Thomases, and 
others is due the gratitude of posterity for foster- 
ing and keeping alive the spirit of liberty. No part 
of our country suffered more during the Revolution 
than the southern portion of Westchester County. 
"The Neutral Ground it was called, but subjected," 
says Washington Irving, "from its vicinity to the 
city, to be foraged by the royal forces, and plundered 
and insulted by refugees and tories. " "No region," 
he adds, "was more harried and trampled down by 
friend and foe, " than this debatable ground. "These 
troublous times ought to be remembered," says 
Baird, "that we may gain some of the most definite 
views of those hardships which were a part of the 
'great sum* w^ith which our fathers obtained their 
freedom. " Apt words to-day! 

Never in any great crisis has Rye been found want- 
20 



CHARLES WASHINGTON BAIRD, D.D. 
Born at Princeton, New Jersey, August 28 
1828, died at Rye, New York, February jo 
i88y. For twenty-six years Pastor of the 
Presbyterinn Church, Rye. A uthor, ' ' History 
of Rye/' 18/1 



The Bar of Rye Township 

ing. Of those mentioned in these pages we find 
Judge Nehemiah Brown in the service of his country 
in the War of 1812. During the War of the Rebel- 
lion, Rye gave of many of her sons. Captain (after- 
ward Colonel) Nelson B. Bartram left the town with 
the first company of volunteers, as early as April, 
1861, forty-four of whom were residents of Rye. 
Immediately after Captain Charles H. Palmer re- 
cruited a company of which twenty were residents 
of Rye. Captain Thomas Beal recruited a company, 
of which thirty-eight were residents of the town. 
Twenty- three other residents were, in addition, 
enUsted and mustered into the service. In 1862, 
Captain Palmer returned to Port Chester and 
organized another company, in which thirty-seven 
volunteers from this town enlisted. Other persons 
from the town were mustered into Connecticut 
regiments. And of the lawyers, then or at other 
times residents of the town, who shared in preserv- 
ing the Union, we find the names of Dix, Parsons, 
Downing, Johnson, Post, George, and Wakefield, 
now all departed, save Parsons. 

In the war with Spain, in 1898, Rye furnished 
many men for the service, and among its lawyers were 
Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright and Charles Wesley 
Stevens. 

In the present worldwide conflict, of the members 
of the Bar of Rye, the following are in the service of 
our country: Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright, Lieut.- 
CoL, General Inspector, 27th Division, U. S. A.; 
Herbert Parsons, Major, Signal Corps Reserve, 
21 



The Bar of Rye Township 

A. E. F.; William Rand, Major, Judge-Advocate, 
U. S. A.; William Harvey Smith, Jr., Major, 153rd 
Depot Brigade, 5th Battalion, U. S. A.; Albert 
William Putnam, in command Company A, 105th 
Machine Gun Battalion, 53rd Brigade, 27th Division, 
U. S. A. ; John Michael Holzworth, Captain, U. S. A. ; 
Roger Sherman, 2nd Lieut., Infantry, unattached, 
A. E. F.; Roy Livingston Burns, Company E, 306th 
Infantry, U. S. A.; Samuel Wein, Aeronautical 
Supplies, Quartermaster's Corps, U. S. A.; Stewart 
Maurice, U. S. Naval Reserve Force; William Allen 
Davidson, member and secretary District Board, 
Southern District of New York, created under selec- 
tive service law; and Charles Minot Sheaf e, Jr., mem- 
ber and chairman Local Board No. 6, Westchester 
County; together with the so-called "4 Minute 
Men," a branch of the Reserve Officers' Corps, the 
local members being Baruch, Connolly, Dalton, 
Kelly, Miller, Rosan, Sheafe, Slater, Sporborg, 
Taylor, and Wilcox. 

Until recent times, the lawyers of the town of Rye 
were few in number. The major part of those living 
here now maintain their offices in New York City. 
Until very recently, excepting possibly during the 
Colonial times, the only law offices in the town were 
in Port Chester. 

Three incorporated villages are now situated 
within the bounds of the town, namely, Port Chester, 
Rye, and Mamaroneck. Only the smaller portion 
of the last, however, is located in the town of Rye. 
A portion of the town is still unincluded in any village. 
22 



THE HISTORIC SQ UA RE HO USE 
now the Municipal Hall of Rye Village 
at which Washington, John Adams aiid 
Lafayette stopped 

{By courtesy of Mr. Theodore Fremd 
President of Rye Village) 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Port Chester was originally known as Sawpit, 
which was incorporated by Chapter 243 of the laws 
of 1823. Sawpit was honored, in 1824, by the 
presence of General Lafayette, on his way from New 
York to New England. After dining at Penfield's 
Hotel, Rye, the illustrious guest proceeded to Mr. 
Moseman's, at Sawpit, where he was received by a 
party of gentlemen on horseback. Here he shook 
hands " with hundreds, young and old." Passing on 
to Byram Bridge, he was met by a Connecticut troop 
of horse. Mr. Moseman's place, which later was 
known as the De Soto House, stood on the site now 
occupied by the Port Chester Savings Bank. It 
is said that this structure was erected in 1806, by 
Reuben Coe. It was then called "The Pavilion," 
and a Dr. Brewster was its first proprietor. By 
Chapter 60 of the laws of 1837, Sawpit became Port 
Chester, the change not being effected without dif- 
ficulty. By Chapter 276 of the laws of 1855, Port 
Chester was changed to a fire district and the Sawpit 
charter repealed. By an act of the Legislature, 
passed May 14, 1868, known as Chapter 818 of the 
laws of that year, Port Chester was incorporated 
as a village. Its present population is nearly, if 
not quite, 16,000. (See Appendix.) 

Rye village was incorporated under the general 
village law, September 12, 1904. In 18 15 or 18 16, 
Rye was visited by Joseph Bonaparte, ex-King of 
Spain, who was in search of a suitable place for his 
future residence in America. It is said that he 
was desirous of establishing himself somewhere on 

23 



The Bar of Rye Township 

the western shore of Long Island Sound and that 
the locations which pleased him most were Theall's 
Hill, at Rye, and Hunter's Island. The most 
historic spot in Rye is probably the present munici- 
pal hall, known in early times as the Square House, 
or Haviland's or Penfield Inn. Here, it is said, 
John Adams stopped, in 1774, on his way from 
Boston to New York. Here, too, on October 15, 
1789, Washington stopped on his way to New 
England, and again on his return, November 12th. 
Rye has become widely known in recent years 
as the place of a public park to which large num- 
bers of people are drawn during the summer season. 
The population of Rye is about 5500. (See Ap- 
pendix.) 

The lower portion of the town of Rye was made 
part of the village of Mamaroneck when that village 
was incorporated in 1895 under the general village 
law. (See Appendix.) 

The park above referred to was authorized by 
Chapter 711 of the laws of 1907. It is located on 
Long Island Sound, and includes what was formerly 
known as Oakland Beach. Nearly a half million 
dollars has been expended in the acquisition and 
embellishment of land and the erection of buildings. 
The act provides for a park commission, consisting of 
the supervisor of the town, the presidents of Port 
Chester and Rye villages, one appointee of the town 
board resident in Mamaroneck, and another ap- 
pointee of the Rye village trustees. The present 
Commissioners are George J. Werner, Warren J. 

24 



THE DE SOTO HOUSE, PORT CHESTER 
at which Lafayette stopped 



/ -i m 




Richard T. Wainwright. 

In point of population the town remained nearly- 
stationary for a long series of years. In 17 12, it 
contained 516 inhabitants, of whom 18 were slaves; 
in 1790, 986, of whom 123 were slaves; in 1820, 1342, 
of whom 126 were "free blacks" and 14 were slaves; 
in 1846, 2180; in 1875, 5936; in 1900, 12,861; and 
in 191 5, 24,136. In 1790 the population of Harri- 
son was 1004, and that of White Plains, 505. 

Incomplete as it is, this article would be more 
so, and the writer wholly lacking in appreciation, 
were not a reference made to the Rev. Charles W. 
Baird, who, while pastor at the Rye Presbyterian 
Church, in 1871, completed a history of that town. 
The book grew out of a discourse prepared by him in 
1865, when the two hundredth anniversary of the 
organization of the town occurred. Dr. Baird has 
preserved to us and to those who will follow us a 
great part of the history of our beloved town, which 
otherwise would have been entirely lost. His book 
has been drawn upon copiously for material contained 
in the present volume. The hope is indulged that 
some one, before time's passing makes the difficulty 
great, will take up Dr. Baird 's work where he left 
it off. 



25 



f^'.=0 



The Courts 

The courts of the State of New York now consist 
of the court for the trial of impeachments, the court 
of appeals, the court of claims, the appellate divi- 
sions of the supreme court, the appellate terms of the 
supreme court, the supreme court, the county courts, 
the surrogates' courts, and courts of justices of the 
peace, besides various other courts, inferior and local. 

The following courts have ceased to exist: 

Court of Assizes: — Established 1665; composed of 
governor, members of council, high sheriff, and 
such justices of the peace as might attend; original 
jurisdiction: all criminal matters, jury trials; civil 
cases twenty pounds and upwards; abolished 1683. 

Court for the Correction of Errors and Appeals : — 
Established 1691 ; composed of governor and council; 
appeals from judgments exceeding one hundred 
pounds, increased, 1753, to three hundred pounds; 
if amount exceeded five hundred pounds, appeal 
allowed to King in Privy Council. 

Court of Chancery: — EstabUshed 1683; governor 
or his appointee chancellor, assisted by council; 
continued 1691, expired 1698, revived 1701, sus- 
pended 1703, re-established 1704; unpopular because 
of delays and expense; reorganized 1788; abolished 
26 



LIBERTY SQUARE, PORT CHESTER 
about sixty years ago. On the left 
is shown the Biilkley homestead, while 
in the center is shown the site now 
occupied by the banking house of the 
Mutual Trust Company of Westchester 
County 



The Bar of Rye Township 

1846, when there were 188 masters and 168 examin- 
ers in chancery ; superseded by supreme court. 

Court of Exchequer: — EstabHshed 1685, reor- 
ganized 1786, to be held by junior justice of the 
supreme court, or, in his absence, one other of 
puisne justices; fines, forfeiture, issues, amerce- 
ments, and debts due people of the State ; aboHshed 
1830. 

Court of Admiralty : — Established by Dutch ; civil 
law jurisdiction extending over New Jersey, Con- 
necticut, New York; 1678, authorized to appoint a 
judge and other officers; abolished 1789, and super- 
seded by U. S. District Courts. 

Court for the Trial of Impeachments and the Cor- 
rection of Errors: — Authorized by Constitution 
1777; trials for impeachment of State officers and 
correction of errors on appeals from court of chan- 
cery, supreme court, court of probate, and court of 
admiralty; abolished 1846, and superseded as to 
impeachment trials by court for trial of impeach- 
ments, and as to correction of errors by court of 
appeals. 

Supreme Court of Judicature: — Originally estab- 
lished 1 69 1, continued by proclamation 1699, and 
by ordnance 1699; continued through Colonial and 
State period; originally consisted of chief justice 
and two puisne justices; all cases, civil and criminal; 
previous to Revolution held quarterly sessions and 
judges performed a circuit through the counties, 
once annually, carrying special commission of oyer 
and terminer and general jail delivery, in which some 
27 



The Bar of Rye Township 

of county justices were joined; abolished 1846 and 
superseded by supreme court. 

Circuit Court: — Created 1821; abolished 1846. 

Court of Oyer and Terminer: — Provided more 
speedy trials in capital offense cases; 1683 ^ct com- 
posed court of one judge, assisted by four justices of 
the peace, and conferred additional jurisdiction; 
abolished 1691, but name retained for some time in 
supreme court to designate its criminal circuit. 

General Term of the Supreme Court: — Chap. 
408, laws 1870, divided State into four judicial 
departments, abrogated general terms then existing, 
and created new ones; appeals from supreme court; 
abolished 1896, and superseded by appellate division, 
supreme court. 

Orphan Court: — In virtue of the prerogative, 
director-general and council of New Netherlands 
were guardians of widows and orphans ; was duty, at 
first, of church deacons to attend more immediately 
to these interests; in New Amsterdam, 1653, burgo- 
masters became ex-officio orphan masters; special 
masters thereafter appointed with duties similar to 
surrogate; abolished 1664. 

Prerogative Court: — Probate of wills, intestates' 
estates, and granting marriage licenses; 1692 all pro- 
bates and letters administration directed to be 
granted by governor or his delegate, and two free- 
holders in each town to have charge of intestates' 
estates; all wills in New York, Orange, Richmond, 
Westchester, and Kings Counties to be proved at 
New York; aboHshed 1778. 
28 



The Final Sitting of the 
Westchester County Court of Sessions 
December 31, 1895, after an existence 
of 211 years 
The photograph from which the picture is reproduced was 
taken just before the filial adjournment of the court, and 
shows the interior of the county court room, which is still in 
existence. Portraits are shown of County Judge Isaac N. 
Mills, Justices of Sessions Edward B. Kear and Robert J. 
Bellew, Court Clerk M. James Mooney, Court Stenographer 
Harvey Ilusted, Court Crier James C. Campbell, Surrogate 
Theodore H. Silkman, County Clerk John M. Digney, Com- 
missioner of Jurors I. Howard Kinch, Deputy Commissioner 
of Jurors Harold Kinch, Librarian Frederick F. Miller, 
Counsellors William Porter Allen, Henry C. Henderson, 
David H. Hunt and Henry C. Griffin, Court Officers John 
C. Verplanck, Leonard Banks, Michael Matthews, George 
S. Merritt, Charles H. Flandreau and Edgar R. Riley, and 
Janitor Thomas Zimmerman. 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Court of Probates: — Act 1778, divested governor 
of power in prerogative court and transferred them 
to judge of court of probates, except in the appoint- 
ment of surrogate; 1787, surrogates in each county- 
empowered to be appointed, judge of court of pro- 
bates holding jurisdiction in cases of decease out of 
State or of non-residents ; appellate jurisdiction over 
surrogates' courts ; abolished 1823. (See Appendix.) 

Court of Common Pleas: — Established New York 
and Albany by charters 1686; erected in each county 
by act 1 691; first composed of one judge with three 
justices; 1702, judge ordered assisted by two or more 
justices, sometimes five and even twelve at one 
time, all appointed by governor; causes above five 
pounds; after 1778 principal judge designated "first" 
judge; 1818, office of assistant judge abolished and 
number of judges, including "first" judge, limited 
to five; aboHshed 1846. (See Appendix.) 

Court of Sessions of the Peace: — Held in three 
ridings of Yorkshire (West Chester, Long Island, 
Staten Island) by resident justices of the peace three 
times yearly; equity, probates, causes from five to 
twenty pounds; appeals to assizes; actions tried 
before jury seven men taken from overseers of 
different towns within riding ; in capital cases jury of 
twelve. Act 1683 directed court held by three 
justices of the peace in twelve counties of the prov- 
ince; act 1691 and ordinance 1699, functions of court 
confined to criminal matters, civil cases being trans- 
ferred to common pleas court; Constitution 1846, 
county court organized in each county except New 
29 



The Bar of Rye Township 

York; two justices of the peace associated with 
county judge to hold courts of sessions; ceased 1895. 
(See Appendix.) 

Town and Justices' Courts: — During Colonial 
period, constable with at least five overseers of town 
held town court ; causes to five pounds ; 1683 and later, 
organization and jurisdiction modified; justices of 
the peace appointed until adoption of Constitution 
1846, by which office was made elective and their 
number regulated. 



30 



"Rich as we are in biography, a well-written life is almost as 
rare as a well-spent one; and there are certainly many more men 
whose history deserves to be recorded than persons willing and able 
to record it." — Caelyle. 



31 



John Jay 

The illustrious subject of this human document 
loved the border town of Rye and it is safe to assume, 
had he been consulted, he would have been born 
within its historic boundaries. His father, Peter 
Jay, a prosperous New York merchant and a Hugue- 
not, had, in 1744, purchased an estate on the Boston 
Post Road, Rye, but, in the delay of removal, John, 
the eighth child of Mary Van Cortlandt, was born in 
their New York home December 12, 1745, and was 
less than a year old when he became a resident of this 
township. He was taught the rudiments of English 
and the Latin grammar by his mother and prepared 
for college in a school in New Rochelle, conducted 
by the Rev. Peter Stoops, of the French Huguenot 
Church, a Swiss instructor of ability. Here he spent 
three years and then returned to Rye to receive the 
personal attention of a private tutor, .George Murray. 
He was an apt student and at the age of fourteen, 
in 1760, entered King's, now Columbia, College. 
For admission he was required to read "the first 
three of TuUy's orations, and the six first books of 
Virgil's Aeneid into English, and the first ten chap- 
ters of St. John's Gospel into Latin"; to be well 
versed in Latin grammar, and to be "expert inArith- 
^ 33 



The Bar of Rye Township 

metick as far as Reduction. " He graduated in May, 
1764, and received his bachelor's degree. 

He at once apprenticed himself as a student in the 
office of Benjamin Kissam, a barrister "eminent in 
the profession, " binding himself to serve five years. 
In 1768 (some authorities say 1766) he was admitted 
to the Bar. At this period it was said of him that 
"he was remarkable for strong reasoning powers, 
comprehensive views, indefatigable application, and 
uncommon firmness of mind." Mr. Kissam was a 
leader at the New York Bar, stern and studious. 
He had few intimates and they only those prominent 
in the legal profession, and the intimacy that grew up 
between the instructor and the apprentice was the 
subject of comment among the other students before 
the close of young Jay's second year in the Kissam 
office. Responsibilities gravitated toward the young 
man and trust was reposed in him because he de- 
served it. At the end of five years. Jay had emerged 
from his apprenticeship quiet, modest, reticent. He 
was known as a safe and competent lawyer and stood 
high among his associates, for had not Mr. Kissam 
pushed him forward as associate counsel in many 
difficult cases, and had he not in return justified the 
confidence placed in him? It was not long afterward 
that Samuel Adams was prompted to get sufficiently 
close to the ear of John Adams to remark: "That 
man Jay is young in years but he has an old head. " 

In 1774 he married Sarah, youngest daughter of 
William Livingston, the famous Revolutionary Gov- 
ernor of New Jersey. One day in August of that 

34 



The Bar of Rye Township 

year, we find John Jay leaving his office in New 
York in charge of a clerk, and riding horseback over 
to the town of Elizabeth, there joining his father-in- 
law, the two starting for Philadelphia. On the road 
to the City of Brotherly Love they fell in with John 
Adams,— he who kept a diary. The trio spent that 
night at a tavern. Here the keen-eyed Yankee 
recorded the fact of meeting these new friends and 
incidentally recorded this observation: "Mr. Jay is 
a young man of law and, Mr. Scott says, a hard 
student and a good speaker. " Jay at the time was 
twenty-nine and Adams thirty-nine. 

Jay was a delegate to the Second Congress, served 
on many important committees, and was entrusted 
with drawing up the statement addressed to the 
people of Great Britain; but was recalled to New 
York before the supreme issue was reached, and, 
thus, through accident, the Declaration of Independ- 
ence does not contain the strong signature of John 
Jay, and yet he appears in history at the very head 
of all movements originated to benefit his country- 
men in their struggle against British tyranny. 

This distinguished resident was chosen a member 
of the Provisional War Committee, and of the 
Committee of Resistance, which convened immedi- 
ately after the battle of Lexington, in 1775. The 
address sent to England, giving notice that New York 
had "resolved to stand or fall with the liberty of 
the continent," was first signed by Mr. Jay. He 
was an active member of the Continental Congresses. 
He drafted the first Constitution of the State of New 
35 



The Bar of Rye Township 

York in 1777, and was made the first Chief Justice 
of that State under that Constitution. In 1777 he 
assisted in devising a State seal, was Speaker of 
Congress in 1778, and United States Minister to 
Spain in 1779. He was one of the five Peace Com- 
missioners appointed in 1781 to arrange peace with 
Great Britain, and on his return was appointed 
Secretary of Foreign Affairs in President Washing- 
ton's Cabinet. In 1784 he served as a Boundary 
Commissioner and was also chosen a Regent of the 
State University. He was a member of the Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1788. 

Upon Judge Jay's return to the United States in 
July, 1784, a great demonstration awaited him. 
The freedom of New York City was presented him 
with an exceedingly complimentary address, duly 
engrossed and signed by one hundred of the leading 
citizens of the city. Jay did not relish notoriety. 
He was eager to see his father at Rye. He spent 
one day in New York and then rode horseback to the 
Rye farm. That evening there was a service of 
thanksgiving at the village church, after which the 
citizens repaired to the Jay mansion, where a barrel 
of cider was tapped, and "a groce of Church War- 
dens" (long clay pipes) passed around, with free 
tobacco for all. John Jay stood on the front porch 
and made a short, modest speech. 

President Washington appointed him as first Chief 
Justice of the United States Supreme Court, Sep- 
tember 26, 1789, employing these words in a letter 
conveying the honor : 

36 



The Bar of Rye Township 

"There must be a court, perpetual and supreme, 
to which all questions of internal dispute between 
States or people be referred. This Court must be 
greater than the Executive, greater than any individ- 
ual State, separated and apart from any political 
party. You must be the first official head of this 
Court, just as I am now head of the Executive. " 

Jay accepted the great trust and set the judicial 
machinery of the young nation in motion. He held 
this office until June, 1795, the most important case 
in which he participated being Chisholm v. Georgia 
(2 Dallas, 419). In 1794, however, serious questions 
arose over the articles of settlement between Great 
Britain and the United States, growing out of the 
terms of peace made in 1783. Some one must go 
to Europe in order to preserve our honor. Washing- 
ton delegated this delicate errand to Jay, who, with- 
out resigning, but laying aside his judicial ermine, 
for the time being, became our Envoy Extraordinary 
to England. In April, 1795, he was elected the 
second Governor of New York, and in 1798 was 
elected for a second term, and at its close, April, 1801, 
President Adams tendered him for the second time 
the Chief Justiceship of the United States Supreme 
Court. This he decHned in order that he might 
retire to private life. 

Judge Jay's mission to England resulted in the 
famous Jay Treaty, signed November, 1794, and 
ratified in the following year. This treaty met with 
a storm of opposition when its terms became known 
in the United States and Jay was severely criticized. 
37 



The Bar of Rye Township 

But his course and judgment have since been fully 
vindicated. One hundred years after its ratification 
observances were held throughout this country. 
Dr. William Everett, in an address made in Boston 
at the time, paid this encomium to Jay: 

"If ever a man deserved to be remembered by 
Americans with that gratitude which does not stop 
short of affection, it is John Jay. His influence in 
the establishment of independence, in the negoti- 
ations of the treaty of 1783, in the adoption of the 
Constitution, to say nothing for the moment of 
later services, was derived from no one source, but 
bore testimony to an intelligence of vision to match 
with Franklin, a promptness of energy on a level 
with Hamilton, an ardor of patriotism not excelled 
by Adams. Jay could be silent as well as speak ; he 
could wait as well as act ; he could convince with his 
pen and persuade with his voice; he could resist his 
countrymen when their passions were sweeping them 
away, as well as inspire them when doubt had chilled 
them. And all these remarkable qualities, great in 
an age of great men, were modified and heightened, 
one might say created, by a spotless Christian 
virtue, an unfailing practice for right's sake, which 
refuted once and forever, the theory that men are 
either more useful or dearer to their fellowmen by 
having a suitable stock of weaknesses, faults, and 
virtues." 

William Jay, a son, who served from 1820 to 1823, 
as a first judge of the Court of Common Pleas of 
this county, said of his father : 

" His public and his private life, his professions and 
his conduct form one harmonious whole. His char- 

38 



The Bar of Rye Township 

acter, simple and uniform, is perplexed by no eccen- 
tricities or contradictions. His advice to his sons 
was never to accept an office except from a conviction 
of duty." 

And Daniel Webster said: "When the spotless 
ermine of the judicial robe fell on John Jay, it touched 
nothing less spotless than itself." 

The following tribute was paid Judge Jay by 
Chancellor James Kent, in the Constitutional 
Convention of 1821: 

"He wrote the first Constitution of this State, but 
was absent at the time of its adoption, having been 
called to the bedside of his mother. Had he been 
present he would have added a clause against the 
continuance of domestic slavery and for the support 
and encouragement of literature. That Constitution, 
however, for forty-four years wonderfully fulfilled 
all the ends of civil government." 

John Jay presided at the Constitutional Con- 
vention noted above, which was held in Kingston, 
and in his closing remarks to the delegates, among 
other things, said: "Let virtue, honor, and love of 
liberty and of science be and remain the soul of this 
Constitution." 

Governor Jay had long desired to retire to his 
Bedford estate to enjoy the companionship of his 
wife of whom he was very fond. For twenty-eight 
years he had served his country and in its darkest 
hours. He sought rest. He was worn out with the 
39 



The Bar of Rye Township 

fatigue of public life. He felt the strain and feared 
the danger of continued exertion. "My best work 
is done," said he; "if I continue I may undo the 
good I have accompHshed. I have earned a 
rest." 

Judge Jay rested at his Bedford home, now known 
as Katonah Woods, for twenty-eight years. During 
this period he led the simple life of a country gentle- 
man with experiments in farming and horticulture. 
He also maintained correspondence with Wilberforce 
in England, Lafayette and Vaughn in France, 
Judge Peters in Philadelphia, two of his college 
contemporaries, Peter Van Schaack and Judge 
Egbert Benson, of Kinderhook, New York, and with 
Washington until his death at Mount Vernon, 
Virginia. 

The Jay estate comprises more than twelve hun- 
dred acres. The homestead is situated at the crown 
of a half-circle which is terraced at the termination 
of an extensive lawn. It is a fine old mansion 
generous in all of its details. It is long, slightly 
gabled, and has a wide veranda running its entire 
length. The Judge's study is situated in the lower 
left side of the entrance. The day that the ex- 
Governor and Chief Justice died, May 17, 1829, he 
had been engaged in writing with a quill pen, at a 
broad mahogany table in his study. As he left it, 
so it has remained to this day. Nothing has been 
removed. The chair in which he sat is still in 
position. It is a sacred shrine. 

The interior of the residence develops unexpected 
40 



The Bar of Rye Township 

beauties. Everywhere is to be found evidence of 
the highest culture. The surroundings suggest 
refinement, patriotism, and a home Hfe strong and 
independent. In the rooms are to be seen paintings 
by Trumbull and Stuart, naturally most of them 
Federalists — ^Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, 
Rufus King, Judge Benson, John Marshall, and 
James Madison. The last named was one of the 
group who compiled the famous Federalist Papers, 
edited with consummate care by Mr. Justice Joseph 
Story in association with John Jay, James Madison, 
and Alexander Hamilton, during the period between 
October, 1787, and June, 1788. The Federalist 
Papers were designed to recommend the cardinal prin- 
ciples of the new form of government as embodied 
in the Constitution. Of these papers Chancellor 
Kent said, "No Constitution ever received a more 
masterly and successful vindication." Jay was the 
author of the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixty- 
fourth numbers. 

In his will Judge Jay remembered his servants, and 
gave his gold watch to his special attendant. He 
directed that there should be "no scarfs, no rings," 
provided at the funeral. "Instead thereof I give 
two hundred dollars to any one deserving widow 
or orphan of this town, whom my children shall 
select. " 

The funeral services were held at Bedford, but he 
was buried in the family graveyard, east of the Post 
Road, Rye. The monument erected to his memory 
bears the following inscription : 
41 



The Bar of Rye Township 

IN MEMORY OF 

JOHN JAY, 

EMINENT AMONG THOSE WHO ASSERTED THE LIBERTY 

AND ESTABLISHED THE INDEPENDENCE 

OF HIS COUNTRY 

WHICH HE LONG SERVED IN THE MOST 

IMPORTANT OFFICES, 

LEGISLATIVE, EXECUTIVE, JUDICIAL, AND DIPLOMATIC, 

AND DISTINGUISHED IN THEM ALL BY HIS 

ABILITY, FIRMNESS, PATRIOTISM, AND INTEGRITY. 

HE WAS IN HIS LIFE AND IN HIS DEATH 

AN EXAMPLE OF THE VIRTUES, 

THE FAITH, AND THE HOPES 

OF A CHRISTIAN. 

BORN DECEMBER 12, 1745, 

DIED MAY 17, 1829. 



42 



Martin Jerome Keogh 

No man in the county of Westchester is to-day 
more secure in the affections of his people, than is 
Mr. Justice Martin Jerome Keogh. Among the 
members of the Westchester Bar there exists for him 
an attachment, deep-rooted and abiding, which, 
with the passing of time, steadily augments and 
strengthens, and a pride is taken in the fact that his 
entire professional and judicial career, now covering a 
period of more than forty years, has been spent 
in this county. And it is with a peculiar sense 
of pride that the members of the Bar of the town 
of Rye, and particularly those of the village of 
Port Chester, recall that his earliest professional 
days were spent there. 

The son of John and Margaret Keogh, Martin 
Jerome Keogh was born in DubHn, Ireland, in 1853, 
and there he received his early education. It was 
his intention to enter the Catholic University which 
had been established in Dublin, under the manage- 
ment of Cardinal Newman, but the failure of that 
institution resulted in a change of his plans, in con- 
sequence of which, in 1870, he came to America and 
for the time located in Brooklyn. Having no capital, 
other than a rudimentary education, sound health, 

43 



The Bar of Rye Township 

and the enthusiasm of youth, he was unable to 
immediately gratify his desire for a higher education, 
and so turned to work in order to support himself. 
It was not long after that that he reached the deter- 
mination to study law and he thereupon commenced 
his studies at the New York University Law School, 
being employed at the same time as a reporter for the 
New York Times. In 1875, he was graduated as 
valedictorian of his class and received the degree of 
Bachelor of Laws. In 1906, the degree of Doctor of 
Laws was conferred upon him by that University, 
and, meanwhile, in 1903, the same degree had been 
conferred upon him by Manhattan College. 

Admitted to the Bar in 1875, he rapidly rose to a 
position of distinction and eminence in the profes- 
sion. He began practice in Westchester County 
and soon acquired a reputation as a fearless and 
masterful advocate. He frequently had as adver- 
saries such lawyers as Calvin Frost, W. Bourke 
Cockran, Isaac T. WilHams, and Edward Wells. He 
developed into an ideal lawyer. He specialized in 
no particular branch of the law, or, better it may be 
said, he specialized in every branch. He confined 
his activities neither to the civil nor to the criminal 
law, nor did he make any distinction in the choice of 
his clients between the rich and the poor. Even 
in the midst of his greatest activity, he would never 
refuse or hesitate to come to the aid of the lowliest 
criminal. He defended prisoners in no less than 
twelve capital cases, and had the remarkable record 
of having secured the acquittal of every one of them. 

44 



S UP RE ME COURT J U ST ICE 
MARTIN JEROME KEOGH 



r:t) 



^ 

^ 




The Bar of Rye Township 

His industry was unceasing and the amount of work 
he performed was enormous. 

Removing to New Rochelle, in 1875, he there 
formed a co-partnership with Charles G. Banks, 
under the firm name of Banks & Keogh. Later this 
firm associated itself with Cornelius E. Kene, under 
the name of Banks, Keogh & Kene. Both these 
firms maintained offices in Port Chester. From 
1879 until 1 88 1, Judge Keogh was associated with 
John William Boothby, the firm name being Keogh 
& Boothby, with an office in the Centennial Building, 
North Main Street, Port Chester. Later Maurice 
Dillon succeeded this firm. 

Many offices of pubHc trust have been held by 
Judge Keogh. For two years he acted as corpo- 
ration counsel of New Rochelle. He frequently 
represented the village of Port Chester and the 
town of Rye in legal matters. In 1892, he served 
as one of the Democratic presidential electors, and, 
at the meeting of the electoral college in Washington, 
opposed the passage of a resolution recommending 
the election by the New York Legislature of the 
machine candidate to the United States Senate, 
the proposed resolution having been intended as an 
insult to President Cleveland. Judge Keogh's pro- 
test was effective, but he was warned that it would 
be hopeless for him ever to aspire to public office. 
Nevertheless, in 1895, he accepted the Democratic 
nomination for Justice of the Supreme Court for the 
second judicial district of New York, and, although 
the State in that year's election went Republican 

45 



The Bar of Rye Township 

by some ninety thousand majority, he was elected 
and was the only successful candidate on the Demo- 
cratic State ticket. The Bar, irrespective of party, 
and nearly the whole of the Republican press, sup- 
ported him. Judge Keogh soon took high rank as a 
jurist and was frequently assigned to try causes in the 
first judicial district. Had he so desired, he could 
have received an assignment from the governor to 
serve upon the appellate division. In 1909, he was 
elected for a second term of fourteen years to the 
Supreme Court bench, both the Republican and 
Democratic organizations uniting in his nomination 
and election. For many weeks in the early part of 
191 1, the New York Legislature was deadlocked 
over the choice of a United States Senator. Judge 
Keogh was urged to accept the appointment as a 
compromise candidate, being the choice of the 
Democratic leaders, but he declined. Judge Keogh 
has several times been prominently mentioned as a 
candidate for governor. 

During his early life at the Bar, he was instrumen- 
tal in organizing the Westchester County Legal Aid 
Society, an organization formed to give aid to those 
in destitute or needy circumstances and too poor 
to employ competent counsel. Much good has been 
accomplished by this organization. Judge Keogh 
was also instrumental in organizing the New Rochelle 
People's Forum, at which, upon his invitation, have 
appeared some of the country's foremost thinkers 
and orators, men of science and statesmen in debate 
and speech. 

46 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Judge Keogh first married Miss Whiting, the 
daughter of Dr. Alexander Whiting of Westchester. 
Of this marriage were bom Alexander and Martin J., 
Jr. In 1893, Judge Keogh married Katharine 
Temple Emmet, a great-granddaughter of Thomas 
Addis Emmet, the patriot and lawyer. Of this 
marriage were born Richard Temple, Grenville 
Temple, John, Katharine, Hugh, Peggy, Terrence, 
Mary, and Bridget. 

For many years Judge Keogh has resided on the 
Shore Road in the city of New Rochelle. Several 
years ago he erected on his property a building of 
attractive character and appointment, in which are 
located his chambers. Here he has of late years 
frequently held court, and here, too, on the last 
Saturday of each month, it has been his custom 
to sit at special term. At these terms many lawyers 
attend before him. The informality, the delightful 
surroundings, and the cordiaHty of Judge Keogh 
always render these occasions most pleasurable. 

Judge Keogh is an honorary member of both the 
Association of the Bar of the City of New York and 
the Westchester County Bar Association. 



47 



Irving Lehman 

Irving Lehman, the third son of Mayer Lehman, 
was born in New York City, January 28, 1876. He 
attended Dr. Sachs's Collegiate Institute, New York 
City, and thereafter Columbia University, from 
which he graduated in 1896, receiving the degree 
of Bachelor of Arts. In 1897, the same University 
conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. 
In 1898, he graduated from Columbia University 
Law School, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. 
He took his Bar examination in New York City in 
1898, and was admitted to the New York Bar in June 
of that year, in the first department. He was in the 
office of Marshall, Moran, Williams & McVickar from 
1898 to 1901, was a member of the firm of Marshall, 
Moran & Williams from 1901 to 1906, and a member 
of the firm of Wormser, Williams & Lehman, from 
1906 till 1909. He has been a Justice of the Supreme 
Court of the State of New York, first judicial depart- 
ment, since January I, 1909. 

On June 26, 1901, Justice Lehman married Sissie 
Strauss, the daughter of Nathan Strauss. For a 
ntimber of years Justice Lehman has maintained a 
summer residence on Ridge Street, in the town of 
Rye, first coming here in 1905. 
48 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Justice Lehman is president of the Young Men's 
Hebrew Association and chairman of the board of 
trustees of Jewish Communal Work, in New York 
City, and a member of the Manhattan, Democratic, 
Harmonic, Press, Century, and Port Chester Coun- 
try Clubs. He is also a member of the Bar Associ- 
ation of the City of New York and of the American 
Bar Association. 



49 



William Allen Sawyer 

Among those who have occupied the bench of the 
Surrogate's Court of Westchester County are enrolled 
the names of men conspicuous not only for their learn- 
ing and probity, but no less for the influence which 
they exerted upon the times in which they lived 
and wrought. Since the establishment of this court, 
in 1730, when it was known as the Court of Preroga- 
tive, probably as many as four of its judges have 
claimed the town of Rye as their place of residence or 
place of nativity, namely, Gilbert Willett, the first 
incumbent, Richard Hatfield, Edward Thomas, and 
William Allen Sawyer. This court of such ancient 
origin bears an honorable name and every man who 
has presided over its destinies seems to have striven 
to uphold its best traditions. 

Since his accession to the bench of this court, in 
1913, Mr. Surrogate Sawyer has made a record in 
which the people of Port Chester, his place of resi- 
dence, and especially his brethren of the Bar thereof, 
take very great satisfaction. He has doubtless had 
more difficult problems and novel questions to decide 
than any of his predecessors, and surely has had to 
deal with a greater number of important matters, 
because it was during the early part of his term 
50 



SURROGATE WILLIAM ALLEN SAWYER 



The Bar of Rye Township 

that the present Surrogates' Courts act, containing 
numerous changes, and, among other things, con- 
ferring broader jurisdiction, became effective. 

Wilham Allen Saw\-er was bom at Pawling, 
Dutchess Countv^ New York, August 3, 1873, ^he son 
of Or\'ille Adelbert Saw>-er, bom in Kent, Litchfield 
County, Connecticut, Febmar}- 2j, 1834, ^ed at 
Stamford, Connecticut, October 10, 1910, and 
Frances Jemima (Brown) Saw>-er, bom at Roimd 
Hill, Connecticut, June 6, 1837, died at Stamford, 
Connecticut, December 24, 1909. Judge Saw\-er's 
parents were married at White Plains, in 1S59. His 
father was a veteran of the Ci\-il War, ha\-ing enlisted 
in Company H, 19th Regiment, Connecticut Heavy 
Artillery. Herman Sawj-er, the grandfather of Judge 
Saw>-er, served in the War of 18 12. He married Sally 
Green, who was a resident of Litchfield County and 
who Hved to be ninety-eight 3'ears of age. Asa 
Saw\-er, the great-grandfather of Judge Saw^-er, 
served in the Revolutionar>- War, ha\-ing enHsted 
from the State of Connecticut. His ancestors came 
from England in or about the year 1620, and set- 
tled in Massachusetts. 

Henr}' Brown, the matemal grandfather of Judge 
Saw\-er, was bom in the family homestead at Roimd 
Hill, the son of James Brown, who located there 
when a boy with his father, James Brown. James 
Brown, the elder. Judge Saw^-er's great-great-grand- 
father, came from Ireland before the War of the 
Revolution. Judge Saw^-er's matemal grandmother 
was Susan Roscoe, whose father was an old resident 
51 



The Bar of Rye Township 

of the town of Greenwich, Connecticut. James 
Brown, the younger, married Catherine Hobby, 
whose people were among the oldest settlers of the 
town of Greenwich, which was then commonly called 
Horseneck, a name which survives to this day among 
some of the older residents. 

Judge Sawyer first attended the public schools 
in Stamford, Connecticut, later the High School at 
Muskegon, Michigan, and afterward the New York 
Preparatory School. Entering New York Univer- 
sity Law School, in 1901, he was graduated there- 
from with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, in June, 
1903. Prior to that date, in April, 1903, he had 
taken his Bar examination and, on May i, 1903, 
at Brooklyn, was admitted to the New York Bar. 
Thereafter he formed a copartnership with Arthur 
I. Strang, under the firm name of Strang & Sawyer, 
with offices at White Plains. This firm later 
associated itself with Clinton T. Taylor, under the 
name of Strang, Sawyer & Taylor. Judge Sawyer 
withdrew from this firm upon his election to the 
office of Surrogate. 

On March 23, 1898, at Port Chester, Judge Sawyer 
was married to Mary Brown Hilliker, of Port Chester, 
daughter of Charles and Mary (Compton) Hilliker. 
Of this marriage was born a son, Charles Douglas, 
July 28, 1906. 

Judge Sawyer is a member of the New York State 
Bar Association and the Westchester County Bar 
Association. He is president of the Board of Edu- 
cation, Union Free School District No. 4, town of 
52 . 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Rye, and trustee of the Library and Reading Room, 
Port Chester. He recently completed his term as 
a trustee of the Supreme Court Library at White 
Plains, and was formerly corporation counsel to the 
village of Port Chester. He is a member and 
trustee of the Summerfield Methodist Episcopal 
Church, Port Chester, and a member of the Eagles, 
Knights of Pythias, Freemasons, Knights Templars, 
Mystic Shrine, and Elks Orders. He is also a member 
of the Westchester County Democratic Club; the 
National Democratic Club, New York City; Harry 
Howard Hook and Ladder Company, Port Chester; 
Firemen's Benevolent Fund Association, Port 
Chester; Wliite Plains Club and Rye Beach Club, 
and an honorary member of Union Hook and Ladder 
Company, White Plains. 

Judge Sawyer has been a resident of the town of 
Rye since December, 1 891, having removed there 
from Greenwich, Connecticut. His activity in 
public affairs, in which he has always displayed 
fearlessness and a dominant personality, his success 
as a lawyer, and his record as Surrogate, have resulted 
in his attaining to a position of commanding influence 
in the town of Rye, as well as in the county of West- 
chester, and of becoming one of Rye's foremost 
citizens. 



53 



David Jamison 

A " Mr. Jamison " is mentioned as having practiced 
law in Westchester County as early as 17 19. The 
identity of this man is somewhat in doubt, but Mr. 
Justice Isaac N. Mills, writing in Scharf's History of 
Westchester County, says there can be little doubt 
that he was David Jamison, one of the patentees of 
Harrison's Purchase. 

David Jamison was apparently a man possessed of 
much power and influence. With William Nicolls, 
Ebenezer Wilson, John Harrison, and Samuel Height 
or Haight, he obtained, in 1696, through Colonel 
Fletcher, governor of the province, from the King of 
England, a grant for that portion of the town of Rye 
then known as Harrison's Purchase or Harrison's 
Precinct and which now is included within Harrison 
township. Jamison, it is said, was "first in Colonel 
Fletcher's confidence and favor, above all others, and 
enriched himself by the grants of land sold by Colonel 
Fletcher, he having a share for brokerage. " On June 
10, 1 712, Jamison was appointed attorney-general 
for the colony of New York, at an annual salary of 
one hundred and fifty pounds. Prior thereto he 
had been chief justice of New Jersey. 

The grant made by the unscrupulous Fletcher, who 

54 



The Bar of Rye Township 

was notorious for the extravagance with which he 
disposed of the pubHc lands, caused great indignation 
among the inhabitants of Rye and so much so that 
the town "seceded" and returned to the colony of 
Connecticut. "By this summary measure," says 
Baird, "the people of Rye were despoiled of a 
most important part of their rightful possessions. 
It was a loss felt by each proprietor for each had 
an interest in the undivided lands, to the disposition 
of which he looked forward as a provision for his 
children." For four years, 1697-1700, Rye was a 
part of Connecticut. 

The Purchase was used in common by the five 
patentees who soon divided^ it among themselves 
in equal portions. Their deed of partition, dated 
November 10, 1700, became lost. Whether it was 
stolen or not does not appear, but the advantages 
of newspaper advertising, even in those early days, 
were shown, when, after a notice offering a "hand- 
some reward" for its return was pubHshed in the 
New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury, March 18, 
1 77 1, it soon came to light. 



55 



William Willett 

William Willett was a resident of Harrison's 
Purchase, then a part of the town of Rye. He was a 
son of Col. Thomas Willett, of Flushing, Long Island, 
and a grandson of Thomas Willett, the first Mayor of 
New York City after its capture by the English, and 
a prominent figure in the early history of the colony, 
who was born in England in 1610, and died in 1674. 
Marinus Willett, of the same family, who died in 
1830, was Mayor of New York City in 1807. Mr. 
Thomas Willett, for many years a resident of Port 
Chester, and who recently died, was a great-grandson 
of Marinus Willett. 

William Willett, in his time, held a position of 
influence throughout the town of Rye, and particu- 
larly that portion which afterward was included 
in the town of Harrison. He represented his con- 
stituency in Westchester County in many of the 
colonial assembhes, and was first admitted Septem- 
ber 12, 1699, but on September 22nd was expelled 
for having presented a paper "writ in barbarous 
English," representing that the organization of the 
House is illegal and Gouverneur (the Speaker) an 
alien, and for refusing to recognize a summons to 
appear and answer with regard thereto. The succeed- 
56 



The Bar of Rye Township 

ing assembly, November ii, 1702, adjudged Gouver- 
neur an alien, and adopted a resolution that acts 
passed under the speakership of an aHen are "not 
binding upon the citizen." He was returned to the 
next assembly and served for many years thereafter. 
In 17 1 8 he was a boundary commissioner in connec- 
tion with the dispute over the Connecticut boundary. 
He subsequently, in 1721, succeeded Caleb Heath- 
cote as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of 
Westchester County. His son, WilHam Willett, 
who became known as Col. William Willett, was 
supervisor for the town of Rye from 1750 to 1 761, 
and also, like his father, served for many years 
in the Colonial Assembly. He had two other sons, 
Isaac, high sheriff of Westchester County 1737-66, 
and Cornelius. 

Judge Willett died in 1733. 



57 



Gilbert Willett 

Gilbert Willett, like many other members of his 
family, was a man of distinction, and must have 
attained a position of prominence in the town of Rye, 
and particularly that portion which now comprises 
the town of Harrison, wherein he appears to have 
resided. In 1731, he served as boundary commis- 
sioner over the dispute concerning the Connecticut 
boundary. He served in the twentieth Colonial 
Assembly from 1728 till 1737, and was high sheriff 
of the county of Westchester from October, 1723, to 
October, 1727, and again from October, 1730, to 
October, 1733. He appears to have been the first 
Surrogate of Westchester County, or Judge of the 
Prerogative Court, as it was then termed, having 
serv^ed from 1730 until succeeded by John Barton, 
who was appointed February 9, 1754. The name of 
Gilbert Willett appears with fifteen others as signers 
to a petition dated November 16, 1764, addressed 
to the lieutenant-governor of the province, asking 
for the incorporation of Rye Parish. 



58 



Samuel Purdy 

Samuel Purdy, son of Joseph Purdy, was born in 
the latter part of the seventeenth century. He died 
in 1753, and during his time was one of the promi- 
nent men of Rye township. He was a judge of the 
Coiu-t of Common Pleas of the County of West- 
chester in 1734-37, and again from 1740 to 1752, and 
appears to have been appointed presiding judge of 
that court January 22, 1752. He was also chosen 
to various other pubHc offices, such as supervisor, 
town clerk, overseer, and farmer of the excise. He 
was justice of the peace in Rye for more than thirty 
years and was recommended by the Rev. James 
Wetmore, Rector of Rye Parish, in 1732, for appoint- 
ment as schoolmaster at Rye, being "a gentleman 
very well respected in the town, a constant com- 
municant in the Church, a man of good abilities and 
sober, exemplary life and conversation. He is the 
foremost justice of the peace in the Parish, and one 
of the quonmi, as well as chaplain [captain?] of the 
militia." He was school teacher in the parish from 
1733 to 1749, when he removed to The White Plains, 
where he died in 1753. The Rev. Mr. Wetmore in 
reporting his death said that "the Church has suf- 
fered a loss by the death of Mr. Purdy, the Society's 
59 



The Bar of Rye Township 

schoolmaster, who was a friend to reHgion, and 
did many kind offices to the poor, as far as he was 
able. His corpse was attended to the Church on 
Ash Wednesday by a great concourse of people of all 
persuasions." 

Shortly before his death, Judge Purdy had sold to 
his two sons, Samuel and Caleb, for one hundred 
and seventy pounds, "my home-lot where I dwell, in 
Rye," comprising five acres. This included the 
present rectory grounds of Christ's Church. 



60 



John Thomas 

John Thomas, the son of Rev. John Thomas, mis- 
sionary of the Gospel Propagation Society and first 
rector of St. George's Church, in Hempstead, Long 
Island, located in Rye about 1734. In 1739, he 
owned land in Rye Woods, the site occupied by his 
home being located on what are now known as 
Harrison and Lincoln Avenues, in the town of 
Harrison. At that time, however, these lands were 
in Rye township, Harrison not being organized as a 
separate township until March 7, 1788. It was in 
1773, that the Board of Supervisors of Westchester 
County refused to recognize a supervisor for Harri- 
son as distinct from the town of Rye. 

It is said that Judge Thomas was the most promi- 
nent personage in the northern part of the town and 
that his estate in Rye Woods was large and furnished 
with a goodly number of slaves. This family, with 
the Jays in the lower part of the town, held a com- 
manding position among the inhabitants, both fami- 
lies espousing the patriot side in the contest of the 
Revolution. John Thomas, for many years, exer- 
cised his influence widely, and Timothy Wetmore 
said of him, in 1761, that he "was favored with all 
61 



The Bar of Rye Township 

the administration of all offices, civil and military, 
by the help of which he has procured himself a large 
interest in the county." 

His patriotism was intense, but as a large number 
of the inhabitants remained loyal to the Crown, he, 
like many other brave men of his time, frequently 
found himself in trouble and his life in danger. In 
1775, one Godfrey Haines of Rye Neck, a tory, and 
a number of his friends formed a plot for taking 
Judge Thomas at his home, but their plans were 
frustrated. Haines said that some of the townspeople 
would be taken off and carried to General Gage's 
army. "One," he declared, "would be had at all 
events, and that is Judge Thomas, who must be 
caught if it cost the lives of fifty men. " At this time 
there was a body of troops known as the Queen's 
Rangers, numbering some five hundred men, all 
Americans and Loyalists, who ravaged and despoiled 
the country and made many persons prisoners. It 
was through Judge Thomas, Frederick Jay, and 
others, in 1776, that the inhabitants of Westchester 
County made complaint to the convention of the 
depredations committed by these troops. By this 
time Judge Thomas had become particularly obnox- 
ious to the British, and, as a result, a number of 
attempts were made to capture him, which finally 
resulted successfully. On Sunday morning, March 
22, 1777, some British troops which w^ere raiding the 
country, seized Judge Thomas at his house in Rye 
Woods and took him to New York, where he was 
put in prison in the old Sugar House, and there he 
62 



The Bar of Rye Township 

died May 2, 1777. It is said that he is buried in 
Trinity Churchyard. 

Judge Thomas, on February 19, 1729, married 
Abigail, daughter of John Sands, of Sands Point, 
Long Island. She was born January, 1708, and died 
August 14, 1782. Their children were John, Thomas, 
William, Sibyl, Charity, Margaret, and Gloriana. 
Their sons John and Thomas became prominent 
men, the former being sheriff of Westchester County, 
and the latter rendering distinguished service to his 
country, both as a soldier and statesman. He 
attained the rank of major-general and displayed the 
same intense patriotism as his father. He also 
served in the Legislature and in other offices of public 
trust. His remains He buried in the Thomas burial 
ground on the estate of his father, a short distance 
west of Lincoln Avenue. Over his grave is erected 
a large monument. 

Aside from his service in the cause of liberty, 
Judge Thomas served in the Colonial Assembly of 
New York from 1743 to 1768, and again in 1769, 
acted as a boundary commissioner in 1753, was a 
deputy to the Provincial Congress in 1775, and held 
office as a first judge of the Court of Common Pleas 
of Westchester County, from May 8, 1755, to the 
date of his death. He was Associate Judge of that 
court from 1737 to 1739. It was Judge Thomas who 
aided Dr. Robert Graham in securing the selection of 
White Plains as the county seat in 1759. 



63 



Robert Graham 

Robert Graham, the son of the Rev. John Graham, 
a Scotch clergyman, came from Woodbury, Con- 
necticut, to The White Plains, then a part of Rye 
township, shortly before 1750. He is described 
as having been a young physician of genius and 
enterprise. In 1749, he purchased the farm which 
in recent times was owned by Mr. Samuel Faile. 

For more than thirty years. Dr. Graham was the 
ruling spirit in all matters of public interest in the 
town and it was largely due to his energy and enter- 
prise that White Plains became a place of prominence 
in the county. It was chiefly through his efforts 
that the court house was located in White Plains and 
the courts removed thither from West Chester. It 
is said he gave the county the land upon which the 
court house was erected, by deed to John Thomas, of 
Harrison (then Rye) , then a member of the Colonial 
Assembly, through whose assistance in that body the 
change from West Chester was effected. It is also 
said that the first country store in The White Plains 
was built and stocked by Dr. Graham. This store 
stood opposite the court house and here the people, 
for more than half a century, would gather to discuss 
poHtics. 

64 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Robert Graham was the first to fill the office of 
"first" judge of the Court of Common Pleas of 
Westchester County, that office having been created 
in 1778. He was appointed February 17th, of that 
year. 

Robert Graham was a deputy to the Provincial 
Convention held in New York, April 20, 1775, and 
also a deputy to the first and second Provincial 
Congresses, in 1775 and 1776. He served as a 
member of the Assembly in the twenty-fourth session, 
1800 and 1 80 1. From 1769 to 1775, he was super- 
visor for the White Plains. 



65 



Timothy Wetmore 

Rye's first lawyer is said to have been Timothy 
Wetmore, who, it appears, was a man versatile and 
influential, and of many activities, his reputation 
extending throughout the county. While, perhaps, 
he may have been the first regularly licensed lawyer 
in the town, and doubtless was the first lawyer who 
lived in what is now the town of Rye, he, neverthe- 
less, was preceded by several persons who became 
prominent in the law and identified with the county 
judiciary, such as John Thomas, Edward Thomas, 
William Willett, and Gilbert Willett, all of whom 
lived in that part of Rye township then known as 
Harrison's Purchase. 

Timothy Wetmore was a son of the Rev. James and 
Anna (Dwight) Wetmore. The Rev. James Wet- 
more w^as born at Middletown, Conn., December 31, 
1695, and educated at Saybrook Academy and Yale 
University, receiving from the latter the degrees of 
A.B. and A. M. He was ordained in 1718, as first 
pastor of the Congregational Church of North Haven, 
Conn., and continued his labors there for about four 
years. Doubting the validity of his ordination, he 
resigned his charge, and, in 1723, went to England 
where he was ordained deacon and priest of the 
66 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Church of England. He returned to America in 
1726, and was inducted as rector of the parish of 
Rye, which then extended considerably beyond the 
present confines of the town. Here he remained 
until his death of the smallpox, May 15, 1760. 
His wife died February 28, 1771. Besides Timothy, 
their other children were James ; Alethea, wife of Rev. 
Joseph Lamson; Anna, wife of Gilbert Brundage; 
Charity, wife of Josiah Purdy; and Esther, who 
first married David Brown, and secondly Jesse Hunt, 
high sheriff of the county in 1780. 

It is said of the Rev. Mr. Wetmore that, such was 
his zeal for episcopacy, he once declared he would 
rather join in worship with a Jewish synagogue, than 
with a Presbyterian church. He must have been a 
man of no inconsiderable intellectual attainment, 
having published a letter against Dickinson in defense 
of Waterland's discourse on regeneration; a vindi- 
cation of the professors of the Church of England in 
answer to Hobart's sermon in favor of Presbj^terian 
ordination; a rejoinder to Hobart's serious address; 
an appendix to Beach's vindication, and other papers. 

Timothy Wetmore was born in Rye in or about the 
year 1736. He first studied for the ministry, but 
circumstances prevented his going to England for 
ordination. He was among the first graduates of 
Kings, now Columbia, College, in 1758. He subse- 
quently studied law and was Hcensed to practice 
April 26, 1770. 

Mr. Wetmore first married October 21, 1756, Jane 
Haviland, of Rye. Of this marriage were born 

67 



The Bar of Rye Township 

James, Jane, Anna, Timothy, Fletcher, Thomas, 
Luther, Theodore, and Robert Griffith. His second 
marriage was to Rachel, widow of Benjamin Ogden, 
of New York, of which marriage there was no issue. 

About 1753, he was appointed schoolmaster in Rye 
Parish by the Society for the Propagation of the 
Gospel in Foreign Parts, and continued to teach 
until 1769, In 1763, soon after the death of his 
father, he owned and was living in the Square 
House, now the municipal hall of Rye village, and 
which his father had owned and lived in. It is possi- 
ble that Timothy Wetmore was born in this historic 
structure. 

By this time he had become a figure of com- 
manding influence in the town. After his father's 
death, the Rye Parish was for some time without a 
rector. This was bitterly complained of by some 
of the people, and, on May 6, 1761, Timothy Wet- 
more addressed a letter to the secretary of the society, 
voicing his complaint of the lack of a minister and 
stating that he had assumed to read the services 
and administer the sacraments. In July, 1762, the 
Rev. Ebenezer Punderson, of New Haven, was 
called and commenced his labors. In November, 
1764, a number of the inhabitants united in a pe- 
tition to the lieutenant governor of the province 
asking incorporation of the parish. This petition, 
which was granted in the following month, contained 
the signatures of Timothy Wetmore and John 
Thomas, who afterward became bitter enemies. 

Troublous times were now upon the inhabitants of 
68 



The Bar of Rye Township 

the town, a"great many of whom, particularly those of 
the Established Church, sided with the Crown. 
Timothy Wetmore became a pronounced tory and 
joined with others, on September 14, 1774, in a 
declaration of loyalty, expressing their "great desire 
and full resolution to live and die peaceable subjects 
to our gracious sovereign, King George the Third, 
and his laws." In November, 1774, however, Mr. 
Wetmore issued a statement in which he explained 
and qualified his endorsement of the declaration of 
loyalty, but he still protested his loyalty to the King. 
It is related that a certain George Harris, who was 
also a school teacher in the town, in addressing a 
petition to the convention of New York State, in 
1776, referred to Timothy Wetmore as "that arch 
Tory or enemy to his country, who has and does yet 
keep up the spirit of Toryism in Rye. " 

At the close of the war in 1783, Mr. Wetmore 
removed to the Province of New Brunswick, and at 
the opening of the supreme court in St. John, 1788, 
was admitted to the Bar. He settled at Gagetown, 
where he held a number of county offices. His son, 
Thomas, was admitted as attorney in 1788, and a 
copartnership between father and son was afterward 
formed. The following is a copy of the copartner- 
ship notice: 

LAW OFFICE 

At the house lately occupied by Mr. Fitzsimon, 
King Street, St. John, where constant attendance 
will be given. Having also an office at Fredericton, 
69 



The Bar of Rye Township 

the seat of the Government, they will have it in their 
power to transact business with the utmost dispatch 
the rules of government will admit. 

Timothy Wetmore, 
Thomas Wetmore. 

i6th July, 1793. 

In 1800, Timothy Wetmore returned to New York, 
where he took up his residence. He died there in 
March, 1820, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. 

It would be interesting to speculate upon what, if 
any, controversies took place between Timothy Wet- 
more, the Tory, and John Jay, the Patriot, who both 
at one time lived in the town of Rye, and who must 
have been thrown in frequent contact with each other. 



70 



Richard Hatfield 

Richard Hatfield was a leading lawyer of West- 
chester County after 1776, the period of his greatest 
activity ceasing about 1790, although he continued 
to practice after that date. He was a native of and 
lived in the White Plains Precinct, as it was then 
called, and included in Rye township. It is said 
that he was "the foremost man in every enterprise, 
whether it was organizing and incorporating a 
church or presiding at a town meeting." 

Mr. Hatfield held the office of county clerk from 
1777 to 1802. He was appointed surrogate of the 
county, March 23, 1778, and held that office until he 
was succeeded by Philip Pell, Jr., who was appointed 
March 13, 1787. He was a delegate to the State 
convention which ratified the Constitution in 1788, 
a member of the seventeenth session of the Assembly, 
in 1794, ^ member of the Council of Appointment of 
the State in 1795, from the southern district, and 
a member of the State Senate, serving in nine ses- 
sions, from 1795 to 1803. 

Judge Hatfield was one of the organizers of the 
Presbyterian Church in White Plains and assisted 
in organizing the Methodist Church there also. 
He died at his residence in White Plains, in 1813, 

71 



The Bar of Rye Township 

and left a son, Richard, whose name also appears, 
but infrequently, as practicing law in Westchester 
County, and a daughter, Esther. Another daughter 
married James Woods, and left a son, Richard 
Hatfield Woods. 



72 



Edward Thomas 

Edward Thomas, a member of the distinguished 
and influential Thomas family, was a son of John 
Thomas, who was born February 3, 1732, and who for 
some time was high sheriff of Westchester County, 
and Phoebe Palmer Thomas, and a grandson of 
John Thomas, judge of the Court of Common Pleas 
of the county, who was captured by the British and 
died in prison in 1777. 

Edward Thomas doubtless exercised much author- 
ity throughout the town of Rye in his time, although 
it was not long after he was born that that portion 
of the town, namely, Harrison's Purchase, in which 
he was probably born and in which he lived, ceased 
to be a part of the town of Rye and became a sepa- 
rate township. About 1795 he located in White 
Plains, on the "Squire place." He served as surro- 
gate of Westchester County, to which office he was 
appointed January 28, 1802. His successor, Samuel 
Youngs was appointed February 19, 1807. 

He married Anne Oakley, who died May 12, 1807, 
aged forty-five. He died May 2, 1806, aged forty- 
four. They had but one son, William, who died 
August 22, 1836, aged thirty-seven. 



73 



Peter Jay Munro 

Born in Rye, January lo, 1767, the son of Rev. 
Henry Munro, and Eve, the only daughter of Peter 
Jay, Peter Jay Munro attained to a high position 
of prominence in his profession. He seems to have 
been a leading lawyer from 1789 until 1821. His 
father, who was born in Scotland in 1730 and died 
there in 1801, was at one time missionary of the 
Gospel Propagation Society, at Yonkers, N. Y. 

Mr. Munro's early education was under the 
direction of his distinguished uncle. Chief Justice 
John Jay, and at the age of thirteen, he accompanied 
him to Madrid upon the latter's appointment, in 
1779, as Minister to Spain from the United States. 
He resided for three years in Madrid and two years 
in Paris, and became proficient in the Spanish and 
French languages. Returning to America in 1784, 
he studied law with Aaron Burr. It was not long 
after his admission to the Bar that he acquired a 
large practice and established a reputation as a 
leader of the Bar. 

Mr. Munro lived in Mamaroneck for many years, 

but practiced mainly in New York City where he 

maintained an office. He was a member of the 

Constitutional Convention of 1821, and chairman 

74 



The Bar of Rye Township 

of its judiciary committee by appointment of Gover- 
nor Tompkins. He served in the 38th Assembly 
during the years 18 14 and 18 15. 

In 1826, while in the discharge of his professional 
duties, Mr. Munro suffered a stroke of paralysis, 
which caused him to retire from active practice. 
The rest of his life he spent quietly at his home in 
Mamaroneck, where he died September 23, 1833. 



75 



Thomas Wetmore 

Thomas Wetmore was born in the town of Rye, 
September 20, 1767. He was the son of Timothy 
Wetmore, who has been credited with being Rye's 
first lawyer, and Jane Haviland Wetmore. 

Thomas Wetmore removed with his father, at the 
close of the Revolutionary War, to the province of 
New Brunswick, and after studying law in the office 
of Ward Chipman, one of the most prominent 
lawyers of the province, was admitted as attorney 
in the year 1788. In 1793, he and his father formed 
a copartnership, and engaged in the practice of the 
law at St. John, maintaining also an office at Frede- 
ricton, which was then the seat of the government. 
Mr. Wetmore was recorder of the city of St. John 
in 1809-10, and attorney-general of the province 
1809-28. 

We are indebted to the Hon. J. B. M. Baxter, 
until lately attorney-general for the province of 
New Brunswick, for much information concerning 
both Timothy Wetmore and Thomas Wetmore. 
In The Judges of New Brunswick and Their Times, a 
copy of which has been presented us by the Hon. 
Mr. Baxter, there appears the following: 
76 



The Bar of Rye Township 

"Thomas Wetmore, in 1793, married, at Gagetown, 
a daughter of James Peters, and on the death of 
CoHn Campbell, in 1796, was appointed Clerk of the 
Crown of the Supreme Court. The year 1809 was a 
red-letter one to Thomas Wetmore, as on the appoint- 
ment in that year of Ward Chipman to the Bench, 
he succeeded to the recordership of St. John, and 
on the appointment of Jonathan Bliss as Chief 
Justice, he succeeded to the office of Attorney- 
General, and was elected as one of the members of 
the Legislature for the City of St. John. Shortly 
afterwards, Mr. Wetmore removed with his family 
to York County. His daughter Margaret married 
Thomas Carleton Lee, and another daughter, Ann 
Peters, married Dr. John Head ; the latter died at an 
early age, leaving a daughter, who subsequently 
became the wife of the Rev. Canon Ketchum, 
Rector of St. Andrews; Sarah married George 
Pidgeon Bliss; Susan, George J. Dibblee; and Emma, 
John Bedell. 

"There were four sons, George Ludlow Wetmore, 
father of the Honorable A. Rainsford Wetmore, a 
puisne Judge of the Supreme Court of New Bruns- 
wick, and Charles P. Wetmore, for nearly fifty years 
Clerk of the House of Assembly, who died at Frederic- 
ton in 1883, in his 86th year; the latter's son, E. L. 
Wetmore, is ajudge in the Province of Saskatchewan, 
Canada. Timothy R. Wetmore, the third son, 
held an important office in Queens County; he died 
at Gagetown in 1883, aged 82 years; a daughter 
married the Honorable D. L. Hanington, a Judge 
of the Supreme Court of New Brunswick; Thomas, 
the youngest son, followed the medical profession, 
and in 1840 married a daughter of the Honorable F. 
Robinson, Auditor-General, who died at Fredericton. 
Attorney-General Thomas Wetmore has been de- 
scribed as a man eminently distinguished for his 

77 



The Bar of Rye Township 

talents, benevolence, and hospitality. His hand was 
always open to the poor, and he was a friend to all. 
As a lawyer and advocate, he stood high in his pro- 
fession. He died at his residence, Kingswood, York 
County, March 22, 1828, aged 62 years." 

Thomas Wetmore seems also to have been promi- 
nent in Masonic circles, reference being made to him 
in Bunting's History oj Freemasonry in New Bruns- 
wick, showing that on September 28, 18 16, acting as 
Grand Master, he laid the corner stone of the Ma- 
sonic hall in St. John. 



78 



Jonathan F. Vickers 

Whether Jonathan F. Vickers was ever a la^vyer is 
open to question. He taught school in Port Chester 
then known as Sawpit, for some years immediately 
pnor to the year 1800, being succeeded by Henry 
Kelly in that year, and was famiHarly known as 
"Lawyer" Vickers. Dr. Baird, in his History of 
Rye (page 269), says of him: 

"Jonathan F. Vickers, who taught school at 
Sawpit toward the close of the last century and 
was somethmg of a lawyer also, lived in a house which 
stands on Fountain (now King) Street, east of the 
rear end of J. Lounsbury's store, and opposite was 
the house of Samuel Alorrill, a boatman. " 

Diligent search among the records in the county 
court house at White Plains and elsewhere fails to 
disclose whether " Lawyer " Vickers was ever Hcensed 
to practice or not. It appears, however, from the 
records of the Court of Common Pleas, that he re- 
presented Htigants. 



79 



John McDonald 

John McDonald is said to have practiced law in 
Westchester County from 1814 until 1826. He was 
a native of White Plains and presumably was bom 
there prior to 1 788, when that town was part of the 
town of Rye. In 1826, he moved to New York City 
where he became a Master in Chancery. He spent 
the latter part of his Hfe in gathering materials for 
a history of Westchester County. The result of his 
labors, according to Mr. Scharf, was a manuscript 
w^hich was later deposited in the Lenox Library, but 
inquiry at the New York Public Library, which 
afterward acquired the Lenox Library, has disclosed 
no such manuscript there. 



80 



NEIIEMIAII BROWN 



Nehemiah Brown 

Nehemiah Brown, one of Rye's most eminent 
citizens, and familiarly known as Judge Brown, was 
born on Ridge Street, in the town of Rye, Novem- 
ber 29, 1775. He was a son of Nathaniel Brown, 
although frequently in the records he is referred to 
as Nehemiah Brown, Jr., which would indicate that 
he was a son of Nehemiah and not Nathaniel Brown. 
He was a grandson of Peter Brown, who died in 1752, 
and who at one time owned the historic Square House. 
His maternal grandfather was Peter Disbrow. He 
was of the ancient family of Brownes of Rye and 
of Hastings, England, and a lineal descendant of 
Peter Brown, whose name is inscribed on the Pilgrims' 
Monument at Plymouth, Massachusetts. While 
still a young man he served, from 1802 to 1806, two 
terms as assistant justice of the Court of Common 
Pleas of this county. In the War of 18 12, although 
seeing no field service, he was commissioned a cap- 
tain, and had to do with the fortification of Throgg's 
Neck and the strengthening of the coast defenses 
along the Sound. He served as a member of the 
Assembly in 1823 and 1824. 

He was thrice married, his first wife, Mary, being 
a daughter of Major Seymour of Greenwich, his 

6 81 



The Bar of Rye Township 

second wife, Pamelia, a daughter of Dr. Clark San- 
ford of Petersburg, Virginia, and his third wife, Abby 
Jane, a daughter of David Brown of Rye. His only 
children were of his second marriage, they being 
Sanford C, who died in Asia Minor, Mary P., wife 
of Samuel K. Satterlee, and Anna Evelyn, wife of 
Dr. Arthur F. Russell of New York. 

Judge Brown occupied the lands on Ridge Street, 
on which he was born, until his death, which occurred 
November i, 1855. After his death the property 
was occupied for many years by his daughter, Mrs. 
Satterlee, and her husband. 

Mr. Scharf, in his History of Westchester County, 
says of Judge Brown : 

"Few men were better known in his county or held 
in higher esteem. Of sound judgment, inflexible in- 
tegrity, withal genial and given to hospitahty, his 
counsel was widely sought and valued. A righteous 
man and beloved, he left a rich heritage to his family 
and friends." 

Some years ago the Brown family presented to the 
county of Westchester a fine oil painting of Judge 
Brown, which occupies a permanent place in the 
court house at White Plains. The portrait represents 
him as he looked when he occupied a place on the 
Bench. 



82 



Samuel E. Lyon 

In his day, Samuel E. Lyon was unquestionably 
one of the leaders of the Westchester County Bar. 
He is described as having been "a law>^er of great 
abiHty and an eloquent speaker. ' ' From his practice 
he doubtless accumulated a competency. He lived 
in White Plains, just south of the old Episcopal 
Church, in an imposing residence surrounded by 
fine grounds. He was married and had several 
children. Later he moved to New York City. 

His period of greatest activity in Westchester 
County seems to have been about the year 1840. 
For a number of years before he moved to New 
York he maintained an office in White Plains where 
he conducted an extensive practice. In Holley's 
New York State Registers for the years 1843 and 
1845, we find the name Samuel E. Lyons among the 
list of White Plains lawy^ers. His correct name, how- 
ever, was Samuel E. Lyon. Mr. Lyon's name is by 
some associated with that of Minott Mitchell, who 
at the same time was also located at White Plains 
and who in his day certainly had no peer at the 
Westchester County Bar. It appears that these two 
men often had contact with each other in the courts. 
"Lawyer" Lyon, as some of the few remaining 
83 



The Bar of Rye Township 

people who knew him call him, may have been a 
resident of the town of Rye at one time, but this has 
not been established to our satisfaction. Possibly 
he was born in Rye, but this we seriously question. 
From a most reliable source we learn that he once 
resided in Rye, while on the other hand this is dis- 
puted. Unfortunately we have not succeeded in 
gaining any information concerning Mr. Lyon's 
family history. 



84 



Amherst Wight 

Born on the ancestral farm, Bellingham, Mass., 
June 15, 1 79 1, Amherst Wight was the fourth child 
of Eliab and Jemima (Hawes) Wight. Eliab's 
ancestors were Elnathan, Joseph, Samuel, and 
Thomas Wight. The last named founded the Wight 
family in America previous to 1637, when he settled 
at Dedham, Mass. Mr. Wight was of pure EngHsh 
descent. 

He was a graduate of Brown University (A.B.), 
1813. Removing to New York City he began the 
study of law in the office of Peter Hawes, a relative, 
and was afterward admitted to the Bar in 1 8 16. On 
April 12, 1826, he married Joanna Gosman, daughter 
of John and EHzabeth (Blake) Sanderson. Eliza- 
beth's sister, Mary, was the first ^^-ife of Peter Bon- 
nett, a descendant of the early Huguenot settlers in 
this country. Peter adopted Joanna Sanderson upon 
the death of her father, and it was by reason of Mr. 
Wight being Mr. Bonnett's lawyer, that he met Joanna 
Sanderson. After their marriage they lived at 147 
Spring Street, and then at 119 Spring Street. In 
1845, they moved to the house 93 (old No.) West 13th 
Street, which Mr. Wight had purchased. Here he lived 
until 1 861, when he purchased the residence on King 
85 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Street, Port Chester, N. Y., which was later occupied 
by the late George W. Carpenter. There he lived 
until his death. His children were Jane Elizabeth, 
born Feb. 28, 1827, Amherst, Jr., born Aug. 15, 1828, 
Mary Morrell, born Aug. 16, 1 83 1, Julia, born Sept. 
18, 1833, Jemima Hawes, born Oct. 7, 1835, and 
Peter Bonnett, born Aug. i, 1838. The only surviv- 
ors are Jane EHzabeth Meeker and Peter Bonnett 
Wight. 

Mr. Wight first had an office at 100 John Street, 
New York, and later at 95 John Street. Still later 
he had an office at 96 Beekman Street, where his son, 
Amherst, Jr., joined him as partner, the firm being 
known as Amherst Wight & Son. Thereafter the 
firm moved to the American building, corner of 
Broadway and Barclay Street, and there remained 
until the destruction thereof by fire, about 1865. In 
this fire Mr. Wight lost many valuable papers, in- 
cluding abstracts of title, some "Americana," and 
other treasures. A new office, a block or so north of 
Trinity Church, on the west side of Broadway, was 
then taken, and in 1869 an office was opened in Port 
Chester, in the building wherein are now located the 
town offices of Rye. IMr. Wight preferred the New 
York office and for many years made the regular 
daily railroad trip to and from New York. 

An accident which befell him, after he was eighty 
years of age, nearly cost him his life. While stand- 
ing in a carriage, his horse started and caused him to 
be thrown backward, resulting in his striking his back 
and bending his head forward almost to the point 
86 



AMHERST WIGHT 



The Bar of Rye Township 

of parting his vertebrae. From this he recovered, 
but he never afterward possessed the erect carriage 
which had always been a striking characteristic. 
He still made the daily trip to New York, and con- 
tinued to do so until about three years before his 
death, when he practically retired. The death of his 
son, Amherst, in 1877, was a severe blow to him. 

Mr. Peter B. Wight, his sixth child, who has fur- 
nished the material for this sketch, in speaking of his 
father, says: 

"His life in later years was much bound up with 
the political and social development of the town 
of Rye and the county of Westchester. It will not 
take many words to tell of my father's professional 
experience, although it covered a period of more than 
sixty years. He never had a very extended court 
practice, but was, nevertheless, well fitted for it, 
having a fine presence, a good voice, and many gifts 
of oratory. He had the confidence and intimate 
friendship of many persons prominent in the business, 
poHtical, and social life of the city of New York, and 
became almost an encyclopedia of the history of old 
New York famiHes. It was seldom that he missed 
a day at his New York office, even after he was 
obhged to make the train journey from Port Chester. 
He enjoyed this daily trip because he was almost 
always surrounded by friends. He possessed a rare 
sense of humor. IMy father was spoken of in his 
last years as a lawyer of the old school. He was 
not of the old school, but was always abreast of the 
times, and as alert intellectually as the average 
middle-aged man. He was of the Hving school 
of those who aspire to learning and uprightness, 
who live up to Plato's ideal of the Just Man, and 
87 



The Bar of Rye Township 

whose lives are faithful to the best interests of 
their fellowmen. " 

Mr. Dustin P. Hubbard, secretary of the New 
England Society, in referring to Mr. Wight in an 
article published in the New York Evening Post, 
soon after Mr. Wight's death, paid him this tribute: 

"He was a man of fine and venerable presence, 
with a beautiful eye and a hearty, sweet counte- 
nance, beaming with Hfe, which would attract notice 
anywhere. He was the oldest member of the New 
England Society, and in January, 1 817, was elected 
secretary, and retained that office until 1822. After 
the fire in Barclay Street, which burned up his 
valuable collection of abstracts of title, he began 
again with the energy of a young man to replace and 
add to the list. His carriage was remarkably 
dignified. He had a very pleasant voice and an easy 
flow of language. The children of the street would 
stop and smile and talk with him. He was an earn- 
est, reHgious man, and very lately was engaged in 
reading a Greek testament so as to ensure a strictly 
true understanding of the Bible. " 

In politics Mr. Wight was a Republican, and 
while a resident of Port Chester became one of its 
leading citizens. His death occurred at Port Chester, 
January 10, 1879, and his funeral services were held 
in Saint Peter's Church, in that village. His wife 
died at Brooklyn, July 28, 1882. The remains of 
both are interred in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn. 



88 



John Adams Dix 

John Adams Dix was born at Boscawen, N. H., 
July 24, 1798, and died in New York City, April 21, 
1879. He studied at Phillips Exeter Academy and 
the College of Montreal. As a boy he took part in 
the War of 1812, and became a second lieutenant. 
In 1828, having attained the rank of captain, he 
resigned, and for two years practiced law at Coopers- 
town, N. Y. He became prominent and powerful in 
Democratic circles. He was Secretary of State and 
superintendent of schools in New York, from 1833 to 
1839. In 1842, he was a member of the Assembly. 
From 1845 to 1849, he was United States Senator 
from New York. In 1848, he was nominated for 
governor of New York by the Free Soil Party, but 
was defeated by Hamilton Fish, his acceptance of this 
nomination earning for him the enmity of the south- 
ern democrats. He became postmaster of New York 
City in i860, and from January, until March, 1861, 
he was Secretary of the Treasury of the United States. 
While in the latter capacity he issued the order, a 
copy whereof is appended, which made him famous: 

"Treas. Dept.— Jan. 29, 1861. 
"Tell Lieut. Caldwell to arrest Capt. Breshwood, 
assume command of the cutter, and obey the orders 

89 



jThe Bar of Rye Township 

I gave you. If Capt. Breshwood after arrest under- 
takes to interfere with the command of the cutter, 
tell Lieut. Caldwell to consider him a mutineer and 
to treat him accordingly. If any one attempts to 
haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot. 

"John A. Dix, 
"Secretary of the Treasury." 

He was appointed major-general of volunteers in 
1861, and had several commands during the Civil 
War. From 1866 to 1869, he was Minister to France 
and in 1872 was elected by the Republicans, Gover- 
nor of New York. He was also president of several 
railroads. As an author of a number of Hterary 
works he gained considerable distinction. The 
Rev. Morgan Dix, Rector of Trinity Church, and 
John A. Dix, Governor of New York, were his sons. 

General Dix lived in the town of Rye for several 
years, maintaining a residence on Manursing Island. 



90 



ILLIAM FATTERSOX VAN REySSELAER 




V..; 



/' 



William Patterson Van Rensselaer 

William Patterson Van Rensselaer, who was born 
at Albany, New York, March 6, 1805, was the second 
son of Stephen Van Rensselaer, who died in 1839, 
and who was the last patroon and owner of the 
Manor of Rensselaerwyck, comprising about seven 
hundred thousand acres of land now included within 
the counties of Albany, Rensselaer, and Columbia. 
Stephen Van Rensselaer was also a Heutenant 
governor of the State of New York, a member of 
Congress, and one of the original commissioners for 
the building of the Erie Canal. The mother of Mr. 
Van Rensselaer was a daughter of William Patterson, 
Governor of New Jersey and a Justice of the United 
States Supreme Court. 

After graduating at Yale University, in 1824, Mr. 
Van Rensselaer was commissioned aid-de-camp to 
Governor Clinton, with the title of Colonel, which 
post he soon relinquished, and from 1826 spent four 
years in Europe, travehng extensively and for a time 
pursuing his legal studies in Edinburgh. Upon his 
return to this country, he entered the law office of 
Peter A. Jay, of New York City, and was later 
admitted to the New York Bar. He afterward 
resided in Albany, and at Beaverwick, Rensselaer 
91 



The Bar of Rye Township 

County. In about 1852, Mr. Van Rensselaer 
removed to the town of Rye, and erected a home 
on the southerly end of Manursing Island, where he 
continued to reside until his death, which occurred 
in New York City, November 13, 1872. For several 
years he served as trustee of the Port Chester 
Savings Bank. 

Mr. Scharf, in his History oj Westchester County, 
says of Mr. Van Rensselaer : 

"The uprightness and elevation, the kindliness 
and generosity of his nature, his fine intellectual 
gifts and high culture, and with all an unaffected 
humility, the fruit of true religion, made him the 
marked example of a Christian gentleman." 



92 



CHARLES TIIORXE CROMWELL 



Charles Thorne Cromwell 

Of the ancestors of Charles Thorne Cromwell 
may be mentioned: Thomas Cromwell, Earl of 
Essex, Secretary of State to Henry VIIL, who was 
beheaded July 28, 1540; Sir Henry Cromwell of 
Hinchinbrook, surnamed for his munificence the 
Golden Knight ; and Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector 
of England. Two nephews of the Lord Protector 
came to this country, one settHng in South CaroHna 
and the other in Westchester County. From the 
latter Charles Thorne Cromwell is descended. 

Mr. Cromwell was born in New York, May 8, 1808, 
the third child of John I. and EHzabeth (Thorne) 
Cromwell. His father, a wholesale dry-goods mer- 
chant, gave up his business at the time of the War 
of 1 8 12 and actively participated in a number of 
battles, being brevetted first Heutenant as a reward 
of merit. At the close of the war, he removed to 
Glen Cove, where he purchased a farm, and resided 
upon it until his death in 1824. 

After attending private schools at Jamaica and 
Flushing, Long Island, Mr. Cromwell entered 
Union College and graduated therefrom in 1829. 
While there he was one of four w^ho organized the 
Sigma Phi Society. He afterwards entered the law 
93 



The Bar of Rye Township 

office of Minott Mitchell, at White Plains, where he 
remained for two years, and then spent some time 
touring Europe. On his return to New York he was 
admitted to the Bar and thereafter opened an office 
in New York City, where he conducted his practice 
for many years. 

Mr. Cromwell married Henrietta Amelia Brooks, 
daughter of Benjamin Brooks, of Bridgeport. She 
was a descendant of Colonel John Jones and Theophi- 
lus Eaton, first Governor of the New Haven Colony. 
Of this marriage there were three children, Charles B. 
who was drowned, OHver Eaton, and Henrietta, who 
married John de Ruyter, of New York. 

For many years Mr. Cromwell lived on Manursing 
Island, in the town of Rye, and spent his winters in 
New York. He died at his Manursing Island home, 
September 25, 1893, and is buried in Greenwood 
Union Cemetery, Rye. 

He was a member of Christ's Church, Rye, and 
contributed liberally toward the erection of the pres- 
ent edifice. 



94 



James W. Willson 

James W. Willson, or James Willson, Jr., a son of 
Dr. James and Elizabeth (Willis) Willson, is reputed 
to have been a lawyer. His grandfather was Thomas 
Willson. His father, Dr. Willson, who was born 
November 13, 1785, and died November 19, 1862, 
was a graduate of the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons in New York. After practicing in that 
city for some years Dr. Willson removed to Rye in 
about the year 1825. He was "a man of fine 
professional education, marked and decided in char- 
acter, and successful in practice." He lived for 
many years on the Post Road near Regent Street, 
Port Chester, and owned a large tract of land in that 
locality. 

Considerable investigation has failed to disclose 
when and where James W., or James, Jr., was ad- 
mitted to practice, yet it is certain that he or one 
of his brothers must have been, because some of 
our informants, who were personally acquainted with 
the family, have actual knowledge of a son of Dr. 
"Jim" Willson being a lawyer, and of his maintain- 
ing an office in New York City for some years. In 
Holley's New York State Register for 1843, among 
the list of New York City lawyers appears the name 
.95 



The Bar of Rye Township 

of James W. Wilson, and in Bell & Gould's Law- 
yers' Diary for 1847 of the New York City lawyers we 
find listed a James W. Wilson, at i Nassau Street. 
One of our informants is under the impression that it 
was Thomas, a brother of James, who was the lawyer. 
The fact is, however, that James was unquestionably 
the lawyer, but probably his name was not James, 
Jr., but James W., possibly James Willis. The spell- 
ing of the surname in the lists is different from that as 
given elsewhere. 

Thomas, it is said, located in New York City, and 
Henry, another brother, removed to Baltimore. 
Thomas, it appears, survived both Henry and James. 
Extended inquiry concerning the families of these 
men has proved fruitless. 



96 



Edward Pitkin Cowles 

Edward Pitkin Cowles was born at Canaan, 
Connecticut, January 19, 18 15, a son of the Rev. 
Pitkin Cowles, a prominent Presbyterian clergyman, 
for many years a resident of Canaan, and Fanny 
(Smith) Cowles. He was a descendant of John 
Cowles who migrated from England in 1635 and 
settled at Farmington, Connecticut. Under the 
tutelage of his father, Mr. Cowles early developed 
a desire for study and took readily to his books, so 
that in 1832 he passed his examinations for and 
entered Yale University. He was graduated there- 
from in 1836, at the age of twenty-one, receiving the 
degree of Bachelor of Arts. He later studied law 
and was admitted to the New York Bar in 1839, 
taking his examination in Columbia County, whither 
he had moved. In the same year he began the 
practice of his profession at Hudson. In 1853, 
he moved to New York City where he took an 
office at 33 Wall Street, and continued in his 
practice. He soon attained to a position of emi- 
nence in the profession and his abihty and integ- 
rity were recognized by Governor Clark, who, on 
March 10, 1855, appointed him a Justice of the 
97 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Supreme Court in the first judicial district, to fill 
the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Justice 
Edwards. This office Justice Cowles resigned in 
November, 1855. On December 3, 1855, he was 
again appointed to the same office, this time to fill 
the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Justice 
Morris. This appointment was contested by Henry 
E. Davies who had been elected a Justice of the 
Supreme Court at the general election held No- 
vember 6, 1855. In a suit brought it was held at 
special term and also at the general term that Mr. 
Cowles's title to the office was good, but the Court 
of Appeals reversed this judgment (13 N. Y. 350), 
and Justice Cowles relinquished the office on De- 
cember 31, 1855. Resuming his practice, he again 
located in New York City, and, in 1871, was joined 
by his son, Edward Boies Cowles, who continued 
with him until 1874, when the elder Mr. Cowles 
died. 

In 1852, Justice Cowles married Sarah Ely Boies, 
of Northampton, Massachusetts. The children of this 
marriage were Edward B. Cowles, born Oct. 2, 1854, 
died Aug. 10, 1887; David S. Cowles, born Dec. 25, 
1857, died Nov. 6, 1911; Charles P. Cowles, born 
July II, 1859; and Justus A. B. Cowles, born Febru- 
ary 17, 1862. 

In May, 1870, Justice Cowles moved to the town 
of Rye, where he and his family continued to reside 
until the time of his death. Justice Cowles was a 
Republican. He became prominent in the town 
of Rye, although a resident thereof but a short time. 



EDWARD PITKIN COWLES 



The Bar of Rye Township 

He was a member of the Presbyterian Church at 
Rye. He died December 2, 1874, at Chicago, 111. 
Both he and his wife are buried in the Hudson 
City Cemetery, Hudson, N. Y. 



99 



Alexander Wariield Bradford 

Alexander Warfield Bradford, a lawyer eminent in 
his profession, and who also engaged in editorial 
work and contributed much valuable literature to 
the law, lived for a number of years on the "Brad- 
ford place," nearly opposite the Jay estate, on the 
Boston Post Road, in the town of Rye. He was a 
son of John M. Bradford, D.D., an eminent divine 
of Albany, and was born in that city in 1815. He 
died in New York City, November 5, 1867. 

In 1832, he was graduated from Union College, 
and soon thereafter was admitted to the Bar. He 
rapidly acquired a reputation for ability and learn- 
ing, and became prominently connected with many 
cases of importance. He was a member of the 
commission to codify the laws of the State, and 
served as Surrogate of New York County for three 
terms, having been elected in November, 1848. He 
was succeeded by Edward C. West, who was elected 
in November, 1857. 

Judge Bradford was at one time associated with 
Dr. Anthon in editing The Protestant Churchman. 
Four of the volumes of the Surrogate's Reports 
were published by him, and a work on American 
Antiquities was edited by him. His introductory 
100 



The Bar of Rye Township 

note in Volume I of Bradford's Reports is a most 
valuable treatise upon the subject of the probate of 
wills and the administration of estates of deceased 
persons, particularly from a historical standpoint. 
In his death at such a comparatively early age, the 
profession sustained a great loss. 



lOI 



Timothy P. Burger 

In the New York State Register for the year 1843, 
edited by O. L. Holley and published by J. Disturnell, 
Albany, as well as in the same publication for the 
year 1845, under the Hst of county officers, attor- 
neys, etc., appears the name of Timothy P. Burger, 
as an attorney of Port Chester, N. Y. Mr. Burger 
was a practicing attorney and the court records show 
that he was a member of the firm of Palmer & 
Burger, with an office at 131 Cherry Street, New York 
City, in 1847, but investigation fails to confirm the 
statement that he was an attorney of Port Chester, 
either residing or maintaining an office there. 



102 



James Edward Beers 

During his residence in Port Chester, N. Y., James 
Edward Beers attained to a position of considerable 
prominence and influence. He was born in New 
York City, December 23, 1817, baptised in St. 
Peter's Church, Port Chester, on Sunday, May 9, 
1858, by the Rev. Isaac Peck, and died in New 
York City, July 5, 1883. He married Sarah Frances 
Rockett, in Charleston, South Carolina, who died 
July 7, 1907. Both Mr. and Mrs. Beers are buried 
in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn. There were 
five children of this marriage, namely, Fanny Beers, 
who married Grassit Lanny, and died in Chicago, 
in 1883 or 1884; Amanda Garson Beers, who married 
A. H. Lockwood, and died in New York City, March 
18, 1899; Edward William Beers, who died while a 
prisoner of war, at Andersonville, Georgia, Novem- 
ber 8, 1864; James Henry Beers, who married 
Catherine Clark and who died March 25, 1884; and 
Francis Eugene Beers, who was born January 18, 
1854, and died September 22, 1855. For the fore- 
going information we are indebted to Mrs. Daisy B. 
Whedon, of Nyack, N. Y., who is a daughter of 
James Henry and Catherine Clark Beers. 

James Edward Beers settled in Port Chester in 
103 



The Bar of Rye Township 

about 1840, and for several years resided on King 
Street, in the house now occupied by Mr. Joseph T. 
Hubbard, formerly the home of Mrs. J. B. Root. 
He was a man of pleasing personality and soon won 
local recognition. In 1852, he was chosen vestry- 
man of St. Peter's Church, Port Chester. He 
became a fast friend of the late George W. Smith, 
then school commissioner of the Rye district, and 
together they, on February 13, 1864, issued for the 
first time the Port Chester Monitor, a weekly news- 
paper which was conducted with considerable ability, 
and which appeared regularly until the first week in 
August, 1867, when it was discontinued. 

Mr. Beers was elected, in 1846, a member of the 
State Assembly and served during the seventieth 
session, in 1847. His seat was contested by John R. 
Hayward. In about 1870, he opened a law office 
in New York City, where he continued to practice 
for some time. In 1875, he appears to have had an 
office at 7 IMurray Street. 

During his residence in this locality, Mr. Beers 
was a conspicuous figure. He would wear the con- 
ventional high hat of the period and was reputed 
to be one of the best dressed law^^ers practicing at 
the Bar. 

Mr. Beers, it appears, was one of the organizers, in 
1852, of The Port Chester Mutual Loan and 
Accumulating Fund Association, which was incor- 
porated under the laws of New York, and which, for 
a time, conducted business in Port Chester, with an 
office at the Post Office, the trustees having been 
104 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Tared V Peck, John W. Mills, Jonathan I. Deall, 
WutI Provooit, Samuel W. Kelley, Newbury D. 
Halsted, John E. Marshall, Read Peck, WiU.am L. 
Bush Augustus Abendroth, and Alexander Enms. 
Wed V Peck was president o£ the assoc^t.or. New- 
W D. Halsted, vice-president, Edward Field, ^c- 
re^ry, and James E. Beers, attorney and counsel 
John W. Mills, at the time, was county judge of 
Westchester County. 



lOJ 



Daniel Haight 

Daniel Haight, sometimes known as Daniel O. 
Haight, but who had no given middle name, was, at 
the time of his death, dean of the Port Chester Bar 
and probably of the Westchester County Bar as 
well, he having continuously practiced law for fifty- 
eight years. 

He was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, Janu- 
ary 6, 1827, the son of Daniel and Desire (Wilson) 
Haight, and a grandson of Daniel Haight. He 
received his early education in the district school 
in the locality of his childhood, and then attended 
Wesleyan University, from which he was graduated 
in 1847 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In 
1850 the degree of Master of Arts was conferred 
upon him by that university. He was admitted 
to the New York Bar at Poughkeepsie, in 1850, 
and spent some time in the office of Minott Mitchell 
in White Plains. Practically all of his professional 
life, however, was spent in Port Chester, N. Y. His 
first office was on the Mosher corner. Liberty 
Square. Then he occupied an office on the north 
side of Westchester Avenue, westerly of and near 
the railroad crossing. From there he moved to an 
office on the northwest corner of Adee and Fountain 
106 



DANIEL IIAIGHT 



The Bar of Rye Township 

(now King) Streets, which he occupied for many- 
years. He next had an office in the Centennial 
building and afterward and finally occupied an 
office on King Street in a small one-story building, 
which is still standing, adjoining the station plaza. 

Mr. Haight first married Susan M. Sutton. Of this 
marriage one child was born, Josephine. He secondly 
married Louise Lyon, daughter of EHas and Martha 
Lyon, of Greenwich, on July 14, 1874, ^^ Port Chester. 
Of this marriage there were three children: Daniel, 
born February 9, 1876; John, born January i, 1879, 
(since deceased) ; and Martha, bom August 8, 1884, 
the wife of Francis A. Field. 

Mr. Haight died at Port Chester, March 14, 1908, 
his death resulting from a fall, and is buried in 
Greenwood Union Cemetery, Rye. He was a 
Republican, but was never actively interested in 
poHtics. He was a Methodist. At one time he 
served as trustee of the village of Port Chester. 
During the long period in which he engaged in his 
profession, although not known as a court lawyer or 
seeking trial work, he, nevertheless, had charge of 
many important matters and became widely known 
as a careful adviser. He was a man of retiring dis- 
position, correct of habit, and highly respected. 



107 



Richard Coe Downing 

Richard Coe Downing, who was born at Mamaro- 
neck, N. Y., in 1827, Hved in Rye for many years, 
and died there January 26, 1890. His parents, 
Richard and Leah (Kirby) Downing, were Quakers, 
and his early ancestors were among the first settlers 
of Queens County. Prior to his admission to the 
Bar, he studied law in the office of Minott Mitchell, 
at White Plains. Later he formed a partnership 
with Henry D. Lapaugh, with whom he practiced 
law in the city of New York for a number of years, 
under the firm name of Lapaugh & Downing. 

In 1852, Mr. Downing married Annie Searles, of 
White Plains. No children were born of this mar- 
riage. Taking up his residence in White Plains, Mr. 
Downing, from 1869 to 1871, served as a trustee of 
that village. In 1881, he returned to the town of 
Rye, and, in 1884, was elected a justice of the peace 
of that town, which ofhce he held until he died. At 
one time he held the position of superintendent of 
sanitary inspection in the health department of New 
York City. This position he reHnquished at the 
outbreak of the Civil War, when he enlisted in the 
famous 69th Regiment, becoming commissary ser- 
ies 



The Bar of Rye Township 

geant, and afterward brigade commissary with the 
rank of captain. 

Judge Downing always took an active interest in 
politics and was a Democrat of the Jacksonian type. 
Frequently he served as a delegate to the county and 
district conventions. 



109 



Amherst Wight, Jr. 

Amherst Wight, Jr., the second child of Amherst 
and Joanna Gosman (Sanderson) Wight, was born 
in New York City, August 15, 1828. Previous 
to his thirteenth year he attended a private academy 
in New York conducted by a Mr. Rand, and then, 
instead of entering college, was tutored by his father. 
He attended at his father's law office daily for 
instruction and soon developed a considerable ca- 
pacity and desire for study. Under the able guidance 
of his father he obtained an education which was 
probably equal to that afforded by any of the colleges. 
As some proof of this, his brother, Peter Bonnett 
Wight, relates that when he attended college, he 
obtained possession of a valuable "Pony" which 
contained a complete and accurate translation of the 
tragedy of (Edipus Tyrannus by Sophocles, of which 
Amherst was himself the author. 

Not long after entering his father's office, Amherst, 
who had become highly versed in the classics, indi- 
cated a preference for the law. At the age of fifteen, 
or possibly earlier, he began his studies in the law. 
He was industrious as well as studious, and provided 
himself with funds by doing work at copying. He 
wrote a fine legible hand and did work of this kind 
no 



AMHERST WIGHT, Jr. 



The Bar of Rye Township 

for many of the lawyers in the city. At the age 
of twenty-one he was admitted to the New York Bar 
and thereupon became associated with his father in 
practice under the name of Amherst Wight & Son, 
with offices at 96 Beekman Street, New York. The 
firm next occupied an office in the American building, 
comer of Broadway and Barclay Street, and re- 
mained there until about 1865 when the building 
was destroyed by fire. Later an office was taken 
at 119 Broadway, and in January, 1871, Mr. Wight 
became associated with Mr. John H. Clapp, under 
the name of Wight & Clapp, maintaining offices both 
in New York and Port Chester, N. Y., as well as a 
branch office at White Plains, this last relationship 
continuing until June, 1877. The office which the 
firm occupied in Port Chester was in the building in 
which the town offices of Rye are now located. 

Mr. Wight removed to Port Chester in 1859, and 
continued to reside there until he died. He was 
twice married, his first wife being Adelaide Augusta 
Louise Griswold, whom he married in New York 
City, May 14, 1856, the daughter of Daniel S. and 
Mary S. Griswold. The children of this marriage 
were Richards Gordon Wight, born November 11, 
1857, who married, July 10, 1888, Mary Lucy Rice, 
Charles Edmund Wight, bom March 20, i860, who 
died January 8, 191 5, unmarried, and Mary Anna 
Wight, bom April 12, 1862, who married Samuel M. 
Meeker of Brooklyn. Mr. Wight's second marriage 
was to Ellen AL C. Abendroth, June 20, 1867, at 
Port Chester, who was a daughter and the youngest 
III 



The Bar of Rye Township 

child of William and Alargaretta R. Abendroth, and 
a sister of the late William P. Abendroth, who played 
such a prominent part in the development of the 
village of Port Chester. There was only one child 
of this marriage, Florence Abendroth Wight, bom 
April 8, 1 87 1, who married Harry W. Harmon. 

Mr. Wight's talents and his splendid character 
were such that it was only a short time after coming 
to Port Chester that his reputation was secure and 
he became widely known. His prominence as a 
lawyer extended far beyond the community, and at 
the time of his death, it is safe to say, he was Rye's 
leading lawyer. He was the first president of the 
board of trustees of the Port Chester Library and 
Reading Room, which was founded by Jared V. Peck, 
an intimate friend of Mr. Wight. In 187 1 and 1872, 
Mr. Wight served as supervisor for the town of Rye, 
and afterward became counsel to the board of super- 
visors. In 1873 and 1874, he served as member of 
Assembly. In 1876, he was the Republican candidate 
for Congress from this district, but was defeated by 
the small margin of four votes. For many years he 
was a trustee of the Port Chester Savings Bank, 
and also its counsel. He was a vestryman of St. 
Peter's Church, Port Chester. 

Mr. Wight died at Port Chester, June 28, 1877, 
having long suffered from cancer of the stomach. 
He is buried in Greenwood Union Cemetery, Rye. 
For many years he resided with his father on King 
Street, Port Chester, and later in his ow^n house, on 
Abendroth Place, afterward occupied by William H. 
112 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Hyler. His death was greatly lamented. Three of 
the pallbearers at his funeral were Justice Jackson 
O. Dykman, Surrogate Owen T. Coffin, and Judge 
William H. Robertson. The Rev. Brockholst 
Livingston Morgan, who officiated at his funeral, 
paid him the following tribute : 

"It is no common loss which has summoned this 
large assembly from all parts of the county, to fill this 
church to-day. It is a loss which goes home to every 
one among us with the sense of an acute, personal 
bereavement. Wherever in this town or State the 
news shall come that Amherst Wight, Jr., has ceased 
to live, there is not a dwelling which will not feel a 
peculiar pang, and strong men will be known to shed 
tears, for a good man is one of the noblest gifts which 
God has placed upon this earth. Mr. Wight was a 
man who touched nothing which he did not adorn, and 
filled no position which he did not honor. Through 
all the temptations of professional and political life 
he carried a bright and untarnished name. He was 
a good father, a good son, and an affectionate husband 
and friend. The purity, the usefulness of such a 
character as his is evidenced by the many and varied 
offices of trust he filled — lawyer, politician, vestry- 
man, supervisor, president. He died as he had lived, 
unselfish and gentle to the last, and his mind upon 
God whom he had so faithfully served." 

And Justice Isaac N. Mills, writing in Scharf's 
History oj Westchester County, on ''The Bench and 
Bar," pays this tribute to Mr. Wight: 

"The lawyers, as a class, have been exceptionally 
able, dignified, courteous, industrious, and true to the 
6 113 



The Bar of Rye Township 

interestate of their clients and trusted counselors of 
the court. Many of them, as Benjamin NicoU, 
Timothy Wetmore, Richard jMorris, Gouverneur 
Morris, John Jay, Philip Pell, Richard Hatfield, 
John Strang, Peter Jay Alunro, Edward Thomas, 
Martin S. Wilkins, Daniel D. Tompkins, William 
Nelson, Minott Mitchell, Richard R. Voris, Joseph 
Warren Tompkins, Albert Lockwood, John J. Clapp, 
Jonathan Henry Ferris, Amherst Wight, Jr., and 
Isaiah T. Williams, were lawyers of unusual abihty 
and high repute. By their careers at the Bar, they 
honored the legal profession, and remained bright 
examples for the emulation of their successors." 

A meeting of the members of the Westchester 
County Bar was held in White Plains on September 
21, 1877, at which action was taken upon the death 
of Mr. Wight. Among others. Justice Jackson 0. 
Dykman and Alartin J. Keogh made remarks. 
Justice Dykman spoke as follows : 

"It would seem eminently fitting and proper that 
when a man of the character and respectability of 
Mr. Wight in the profession departs from life, some 
public recognition should be had of his services. 
Mr. Wight was a man of high character and standing 
in the profession. As has been remarked, he was 
just about entering upon the full fruition of his 
experience, and in the future would have been able 
to render even more service to his clients and to the 
profession than he had done in the past. But it was 
the will of Providence that he should be taken away, 
and we have to mourn his loss. His example is one 
to be emulated by the younger members of the 
Bar." 

114 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Mr. Keogh said : 

"His home was radiant with the reflection of his 
own placid nature ; his social intercourse was marked 
by the easy grace and unaffected finish of the true 
American gentleman ; his advocacy in the courts was 
controlled by candor and exalted by dignity, signal- 
ized by a deference to the court, unbroken courtesy 
to his opponent, cold contempt for personaHties, 
and unswerving fealty to his cHents at all times, 
hazards, and sacrifices." 



115 



Samuel William Johnson 

Samuel William Johnson was born in New York 
City, October 27, 1828, the second child and eldest 
son of William Samuel and Laura Wolsey Johnson. 
He was of distinguished lineage, his great-great- 
grandfather having been Dr. Samuel Johnson, the 
eminent American clergyman, who was born in Guil- 
ford, Connecticut, October 14, 1696, and who died 
at Stratford, Connecticut, January 6, 1772. His 
great-grandfather, William Samuel Johnson, LL.D., 
was first president of Columbia College, a member of 
the convention that framed the Constitution of the 
United States, and the first delegate in the Senate of 
the United States from the State of Connecticut. 
His father was a New York lawyer of prominence 
and a member of the Senate of the State of New 
York. His mother was a sister of President Wolsey 
of Yale University. 

Mr. Johnson was graduated from Princeton 
College in 1849, and from Harvard University Law 
School (LL.B.) in 1851. He was admitted to the 
New York Bar in 1852, and immediately removed 
to Cattaraugus County, New York, where he re- 
mained for thirteen years. In 1865, he removed 
116 



SAMUEL WILLIAM JOHNSON 



The Bar of Rye Township 

to the town of Rye, residing at Rye Neck, and there 
he died on November 25, 1895. 

Mr. Johnson was active in politics and became 
prominent as a democrat. He was nine times elected 
supervisor of the town of Rye, and for two years 
was chairman of the board of supervisors. For 
three years he served as a member of Assembly. 
From 1853 to 1872, he held commissions from the 
State of New York, the last one being that of Briga- 
dier General on the staff of Governor John T. 
Hoffman. In 1871, he was appointed Commissary 
General and Chief of Ordnance for the State. 

Mr. Johnson married Frances Ann Sanderson, of 
New York City, daughter of Edward Fisher Sander- 
son, a steel manufacturer of Sheffield, England, and 
Julia Carow Sanderson. Mrs. Johnson died at her 
home at Rye Neck, in 1879. Their only living 
child is William Samuel Johnson, two other children 
having died in infancy. Mr. Johnson was a member 
of the Manhattan, University, and St. Nicholas 
Clubs, of New York City. He was also a director 
of the North River Insurance Company, and for 
many years a trustee of the Port Chester Savings 
Bank. 



117 



John Edward Parsons 

(The greater part of the following is taken from the memorial of 
Mr. Parsons, prepared by the Hon. Joseph H. Choate, and read 
by him at a meeting of The Association of the Bar of the City of 
New York, March 14, 19 16.) 

Edward Lamb Parsons, the father of John Edward 
Parsons, was born in England, and came to New 
York when about nineteen, where he met and mar- 
ried Matilda Clark, a daughter of Ebenezer Clark, 
who was born in Wallingford, Connecticut, and Ann 
(Marselis) Clark. The Clarks later moved to Rye. 
Not long after his marriage, Edward Lamb Parsons 
purchased an estate at Rye, then and still called 
Lounsberry (adjoining the Jay estate), which he 
made his summer home. John Edward Parsons, who 
was brought up at Lounsberry, was born at New 
York City, October 24, 1829. Nearly ten years 
later, in March, 1839, his father was lost in the wreck 
of the packet ship, Pennsylvania, on the coast of 
Cheshire, returning to New York. 

The events which followed in the life of this dis- 
tinguished man are best described in a brief auto- 
biography found in his desk after his death, extracts 
from which are subjoined : 
118 



JOHN ED 1 1 VI RD PA RSONS 



The Bar of Rye Township 

"My father's death left my mother a young and 
most attractive widow -with five children. Louns- 
berry was (later) let and my brother William and I 
were sent to the school at Rye of Mr. Samuel W. 
Berrian, who had married my father's sister EHza. 
I remained at Mr. Berrian's school until October, 
1844, when as a freshman I entered New York Univer- 
sity. I was one of the youngest members of the class, 
graduated third. What was to be my occupation 
in life had remained in abeyance. My choice had 
inclined to being a banker as furnishing the oppor- 
tunity most quickly of making a fortune. My 
father's estate had reaHzed to me $15,000 to $20,000, 
quite a sum for those days. No opportunity came. 
My uncle James had had occasion to employ the 
law firm of Gerard & Piatt. In the autumn of 1848, 1 
determined to try the law, although with no very 
definite purpose to become a lawyer. Mr. Gerard's 
son, James W., and Thomas T. C. Buckley formed 
a law firm. Not long after I began to try cases, I 
was opposed to IMr. Buckley in a minor case; he 
spoke of me in a way which was one of the things 
which encouraged me to become a court lawyer as 
against an examiner of titles to which I originally 
incHned. I was a student in the Gerard office until 
1 85 1 or 1852. Joseph L. White, who was interested 
in obtaining a concession for the Nicaragua Transit 
Canal, was an habitue of the office. He talked the 
canal. The shares began to advance. I put about 
all I had in them; it turned out that Mr. White had 
failed, the shares sank out of sight, and I was made 
to realize that I must work for a living. I had the 
opportunity of taking a clerkship with Benedict & 
Boardman and did so at $6 per week. Mr. Board- 
man voluntarily made my $6 per week $8; and 
when I left would have made me a junior partner. 
I had come to the conclusion that it was time for me 
119 



The Bar of Rye Township 

to know whether I was to succeed as a la-wyer ; I did 
not feel satisfied to be the tail end of an attorney firm, 
and after being with Benedict & Boardman some- 
thing more than a year I determined to start for 
myself. My Uncle James had an office. He gave me 
desk room and there I hung out my shingle. I had 
kept up relations with Mr. Vose (John Gorham); 
he recommended me to Mr. Shepard (Lorenzo B.) 
as his successor; Mr. Shepard offered me the posi- 
tion, and in 1854 was formed the firm of Shepard 
& Parsons. I'had been admitted to practice in 1852. 
I assumed that my partnership might mean from 
one thousand to two thousand a year for me, t^4ce 
that for Mr. Shepard. In 1854, the then district 
attorney died. Horatio Seymour appointed Mr. 
Shepard to succeed him. Mr. Shepard accepted and 
appointed me to be his assistant. I demurred say- 
ing that I had never seen an indictment. He said 
that I had better learn how to draw one. For seven 
months I was sole assistant district attorney, drew all 
the indictments, and with a few exceptions tried 
all the cases. Later Shepard & Parsons moved their 
offices to 49 Wall Street. The future was reasonably 
assured when in the fall of 1856 Mr. Shepard died. 
The office business, such as it was, remained with me 
and promised perhaps $2500 a year." 

Mr. Choate, proceeding with his memorial, says, 
in part : 

'T greatly value this Memorandum, brief and 
imperfect as it is, because it shows how accident 
controls our professional beginnings, and because 
it adds the name of another great lawyer to those of 
O'Conor, Southmayd, and Dillon, who had never 
entered, nor apparently ever thought of entering, a 
120 



The Bar of Rye Township 

law school. In 1857, shortly after the death of Mr. 
Shepard, Mr. Parsons, then only twenty-eight years 
old, when on his way to the court house, was stopped 
on William Street by the late Albon P. Man. He 
said, 'You are Mr. Parsons,' and on the spot invited 
Mr. Parsons to become his partner on equal terms. 
The firm of Man & Parsons became very conspicuous, 
and _ lasted until 1884. Mr. Parsons had great 
qualities which essentially fitted him for leadership 
as an advocate — a sound constitution and good 
health, a very keen intelligence and almost unerring 
memory, and adequate knowledge of the law, undy- 
ing tenacity of purpose, undaunted courage under all 
circumstances, and a power of analysis that enabled 
him to separate the wheat from the chaff in the facts 
of every case, and to present at the outset in his 
opening a clear statement of the facts, which gener- 
ally won the case, if winning was possible. To these 
great and valuable qualities there were, as I think, 
two drawbacks, which modified not the success, but, 
as it seems to me, the interest of his long professional 
career. He was somewhat lacking in imagination 
and absolutely without a sense of humor. I should 
be doing great injustice to Mr. Parsons, if I did not 
insist upon his great strength and purity of char- 
acter, his conscientiousness and high moral sense, 
and his strong personaUty. There was a certain 
rigid formality in his manner and bearing, a coldness 
of composition, which kept people at a distance, and 
a very strenuous insistance upon all the rights of 
his cHents, alike in court and in negotiations, which 
gave the younger members of the profession, who 
came in contact with him, a feeling that he was 
much too severe and unyielding. He certainly was a 
stiff antagonist, but I am sure that he was wholly 
incapable of taking an unfair advantage of anybody, 
and that he never encroached upon the rights of 
121 



The Bar of Rye Township 

those with whom he had to deal. For some years 
after his admission to the Bar there was no corrup- 
tion that I can recall in our courts, but by and by 
there came a brief period of horrible corruption, 
when the Tweed Ring got into complete and undis- 
puted control of the city of New York, and injected 
three of its worst and most cunning instruments into 
our local judiciary. It was at this shocking point 
in our history that the Bar arose in its might, and 
vindicated its title as the conservator of the Common- 
wealth. It was upon pressure from the Bar Associ- 
ation that the impeachment of the guilty judges was 
initiated, and by this time Mr. Parsons had attained 
so great prominence in the profession that he was 
very properly selected, \\ith Judge Van Cott and Air. 
Albert Stickney, to conduct its prosecution. By the 
able part that he took in the proceedings he rendered 
an inestimable service to the people of New York and 
to the cause of justice ever>^-here that ought never to 
be forgotten. It was a great element in Mr. Par- 
sons' character that he never lost his temper. Mr. 
Parsons was the ablest and most accomplished all- 
round lawyer that I have ever encountered. There 
was hardly a branch of the law in which he was not 
well versed ; his efforts seemed equally well prepared 
and effective whether before the court or jury, in a 
trial at first instance or before the Appellate Court, 
or Court of Appeals on a final hearing, and I think 
that a large proportion of the cases of importance 
during the period that I have indicated, embracing 
every variety of subject of Utigation, were contested 
between us. There was no branch of the law or of 
equity in which he was not fully equipped, but out- 
side of court too he was a great la\\yer, and I believe 
was one of the wisest, most sagacious, and safest legal 
advisers that we ever had. He was a man of singu- 
larly well regulated habits and fine control over 

122 



The Bar of Rye Township 

himself. While the rest of us during recess would 
hasten over to Delmonico's for a hearty luncheon, he 
habitually remained in or near the court room, sub- 
sisting on a sandwich, or a remainder biscuit. But it 
was reserved for Mr. Parsons in his old age to set a 
noble example to his professional brethren, by show- 
ing with what courage, patience, and fortitude he 
could bear the burden, at the age of eighty years and 
upwards, of a prosecution to which he was subjected 
by the Federal Government in the piu-suit of its 
theory of government by indictment. He was 
made a defendant in the indictment of the president 
and directors of the Sugar Company for an alleged 
criminal violation of the Sherman Act in 1903. The 
case was not brought to trial until 1912, three years 
after indictment found, and when that trial did take 
place, in spite of the most strenuous efforts on the 
part of the Government and the most unworthy 
personal abuse heaped upon the head of Mr. Parsons, 
especially, it was, as I am credibly informed, only 
by the dissent of a single obstinate juror that the 
Government was saved from a unanimous verdict of 
acquittal. After the long agony was over, he had the 
satisfaction of knowing that it had left no smirch 
upon his great reputation, and that by his heroic 
stand he had done a great service to his profession. 
He Hved for four years more in the full enjoyment 
of the regard and esteem of all who knew him. Mr. 
Parsons was never so busy at the Bar as not to have 
time for good works. His charity was most un- 
bounded, and I have the best authority for saying 
that in some years he devoted to it more than half of 
his very Uberal income, and in every year a large 
proportion. When Mr. Parsons' professional suc- 
cess was permanently established he purchased a 
considerable estate at Lenox. He had had the 
fortune or misfortune to be brought up early in life 
12:, 



The Bar of Rye Township 

as a strict Calviriist, but even this somewhat melted 
away under the benign influence of country life, and 
while he always continued to be an elder in the Brick 
Church in New York, he became and continued for 
many years until his death a vestryman in the Epis- 
copal Church at Lenox, which he greatly enriched by 
the addition of a handsome church house as a me- 
morial of his first wife. To know Mr. Parsons thor- 
oughly one had to know him both in summer and 
winter, at work and at play, for, taking the two 
together, he rounded out a most estimable and 
admirable character. At the age of eighty he retired 
absolutely from his profession and was greatly 
honored and beloved by the entire community. It 
would be hard to find in the whole ranks of our 
profession a more upright and honorable example of 
true service than the whole history of his life affords, 
and his name ought to be cherished forever in this 
Association as one of its most zealous founders and 
most valuable members and servants. " 

Great credit is due Mr. Choate for his splendid 
memorial, and further credit is due him for Mr. 
Parsons' autobiography because it was Mr. Choate 
himself who suggested to Mr. Parsons that it be 
made. 

Mr. Parsons first married Mary Dumesnil 
Mcllvaine, daughter of Bowes Reed Mcllvaine, 
November 5, 1856. Ten children were born of this 
marriage. Four of them died in childhood, and a 
daughter Helen died in 1892 in her twenty-sixth year. 
There are living to-day four daughters, Mary, Edith 
(Mrs. Edith P. Morgan), who for a number of years 
occupied the Jay Mansion and also Lounsberry, 
124 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Gertrude, and Constance (Mrs. Montgomery Hare), 
and a son Herbert, to whom his father left Louns- 
berry. On March 12, 1901, Mr. Parsons married 
Florence Van Cortlandt Bishop, daughter of Ben- 
jamin H. Field. No children were born of this 
marriage. 

At the time of his death, Mr. Parsons was presi- 
dent of the board of trustees of the Brick Presbyte- 
rian Church, member of the Board of Home Missions 
of the Presbyterian Church, president of the Wo- 
man's Hospital in the State of New York, president 
of the General Memorial Hospital for Treatment of 
Cancer and Allied Diseases, as well as a member of 
a number of other societies and clubs. He was at 
one time a member of the committee to revise the 
creed of the Presbyterian Church, and of the Com- 
mittee to prepare forms of service for it, and of its 
committee to consider the subject of divorce and 
remarriage. He presented a Memorial Public School 
at Harrison, N. Y., and with his brother and cousin 
purchased and gave as a village hall to Rye, the old 
Square House, which was an inn and visited by 
Washington in the Revolutionary period. 

Mr. Parsons died at his home, 30 East 36th Street, 
New York City, on January 16, 191 5, following an 
attack of bronchitis. His remains are interred at 
Lenox, Mass. 



125 



John Erving 

John Erv'ing was born in Philadelphia, July 6, 
1833, son of the late Col. John Erving and Emily 
Sophia Langdon (Elwyn) Endng. He was a de- 
scendant of General William Shirley, Colonial Gov- 
ernor of Massachusetts Bay Colony, and of Governor 
John Langdon of New Hampshire, member of the 
Continental Congress. 

In his early Hfe he attended school at Savannah, 
Georgia, and Duff's Military School, Staten Island. 
From 1845 to 1850, he attended the school of the 
Brothers Peuguet, in New^ York. He was graduated 
from Harvard University (A.B.), in 1853, and from 
Harvard University Law School (LL.B.), in 1855. 
He was admitted to the New York Bar in 1856, at 
New York City. 

On April 22, 1863, in New York City, IMr. Erving 
married Cornelia Van Rensselaer, who was born in 
Rennselaer County, a daughter of William P. and 
Sarah (Rogers) Van Rensselaer, and a granddaughter 
of Stephen Van Rensselaer of Albany. Of this 
marriage there were born Susan Van Rensselaer, 
since deceased, CorneHa Van Rensselaer Hoppin, 
formerly Cornelia Van Rensselaer Pruyn, of Mount 
Kisco, N. Y., John Langdon, of Santa Barbara, Cal., 
126 



JOHN ERVING 



I 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Emily E. Cooper, widow of Henry Woodward Cooper, 
deceased, of Rye, Sarah E. King, wife of James Gore 
King, of New York City, William Van Rensselaer, 
of Albany, Katherine Van Rensselaer, of New York 
City, Eleanor C, of New York City, Shirley, of 
Albany, and Justine Bayard, of New York City. 
Mrs. Erving died in New York City, October 17, 
1913. 

Mr. Erving practiced law for more than forty years, 
but retired from practice more than twenty years 
ago. In 1875, he removed to the town of Rye, 
occupying a house on the northerly end of Manursing 
Island, now the site of the Browning residence, where 
he continued to reside until 1903. He died at his 
residence 17 West 50th Street, New York City, on 
March 7, 191 7, in his 84th year. He was an Episco- 
paHan. 

Mr. Erving was a charter member of the Associ- 
ation of the Bar of the City of New York, and a 
member of the Harvard and Union League Clubs, 
Seventh Regiment Veterans Association, and Charles 
Lawrence Post, 378, G. A. R., of Port Chester. He 
had been a Republican since 1856. 



127 



John Jacob Post 

John Jacob Post was born in New York City, 
April 29, 1834, the son of Stephen Post, born in New 
York City February 12,1810, died May 29, 1879, and 
Catherine Ann (Harriott) Post, born in New York 
City, April 30, 18 13, died there December 5, 1874. 

Mr. Post attended Columbia University Law 
School in 1856, and in that year was admitted to the 
New York Bar. He later removed to Rye and 
resided there from 1880 until 1888. Thereafter he 
moved to Summit, New Jersey, where he continued 
to reside until the date of his death, March 19, 1899. 
He is buried in Cypress Hills Cemetery, Brooklyn. 

On April 30, 1866, Mr. Post married Anne Buck- 
num Osborn of Brooklyn, N. Y., daughter of Joshua 
Ward and Mary (Otis) Osborn. Of this marriage 
was born WilHam S. Post, March 29, 1867, who now 
resides in Summit, New Jersey. 

Mr. Post was a member of the 71st Regiment, 
New York, from 1856 until 1881. He was a Republi- 
can. While in Rye, he was active in Royal Arcanimi 
matters and was one of the charter members of 
Port Chester Council No. 798, of that Order, joining 
it September 20, 1883. Mr. Post was a member of 
the Protestant Episcopal Church. 



128 



Hanford Mead Henderson 

'The parents of Hanford Mead Henderson were 
John Henderson, son of Hugh and Mary Henderson, 
of Londonderry, Ireland, and Mary Tympany, 
daughter of William and Mary (Holly) Tympany, of 
Cos Cob, Connecticut. 

Mr. Henderson was born at Green\\dch, Connecti- 
cut, July 13, 1834, and removed to Port Chester, N. 
Y., about 1849, where he continued to reside until the 
time of his death, which occurred there, suddenly, 
April 3, 1904. He received his early education at 
the district schools of Greenwich and Cos Cob and 
attended the Greenwich Academy for two years. 
He left school at the early age of twelve. 

After moving to Port Chester, he obtained employ- 
ment in the dry-goods store of Samuel William 
Kelley. Here he continued until the latter's death, 
when he purchased the business, and thereafter, with 
his son Herbert G., continued that business for many 
years. 

Mr. Henderson became prominent in the affairs of 
the town. He served as justice of the peace from 
1866 to 1890. He also served as justice of the court 
of sessions of this county in 1887, 1888, and 1891, 
occupying the bench with Judge Isaac N. Mills. 
9 129 



The Bar of Rye Township 

He was a charter member of Putnam Steamer and 
Hose Company and the Firemen's Benevolent Fund 
Association of Port Chester, and assisted in procur- 
ing the incorporation of the village of Port Chester. 
Under the law (Laws of 1868, Chapter 818) incorpor- 
ating that village, he was designated one of the three 
inspectors of the first election held by the village. 
Afterward he served as a trustee of the village and 
also as a member of the local board of education. 
He represented the New Haven Railroad when it 
made its change to four tracks in the village of Port 
Chester, in purchasing property and rights of way. 

At an early age, Mr. Henderson affiliated himself 
with St. Peter's Church in Port Chester, and was a 
teacher in the Sunday-school thereof for many years. 
For forty years he served as w^arden and vestryman 
of that church. In politics he was a Democrat. 

In later years Judge Henderson read law in the 
office of Maurice Dillon and, on February 16, 1893, 
was admitted to the New York Bar, at Brooklyn. 
He engaged in the practice of law from that time until 
he died. 

On November 26, 1857, at Port Chester, Mr. 
Henderson married Sarah Maria, daughter of Tuttle 
D. Wheeler, of West Fairlee, Vermont, and Martha 
(Green) Wheeler, of Tenbury, England. Of this 
marriage were born Cora Green, Herbert Godine, and 
Sarah Bertha. Mrs. Henderson died September 
30, 1863. 

On October 26, 1865, he married Sara Kennaday 
Godine, daughter of Francis Godine, of Bordeaux, 
130 



HAN FORD MEAD HENDERSON 



The Bar of Rye Township 

France, and Susan Cresswell (Brazier) Godine, 
daughter of John Cresswell Brazier, of London, 
England, and Sarah (Deveau) Brazier, of New 
York City. Of this marriage were born Susie 
Cresswell, wife of Dr. Paul E. Tiemann, Rosalvina 
Robinson, Laura Vincent, Adelaide Emma, and 
Mary Bulkley. 

The remains of Judge Henderson are interred in 
Greenwood Union Cemetery, Rye. 



131 



Robert Henry George 

Although never admitted to the New York Bar, 
Robert Henry George was at one time a practicing 
lawyer, having been admitted to the Iowa Bar in 
about 1872, and the Missouri Bar in 1878. 

Captain George, as he became known, was born 
in New York City, November 28, 1837, the son of 
Robert and Anne Jane George. He died at Port 
Chester, N. Y,, March 22, 1917. In early life he re- 
moved to Pittsburgh, where he was educated, and 
afterward resided in Alleghany, Pa., where he mar- 
ried. In June, 1861, after the outbreak of the Civil 
War, he enlisted with the Pennsylvanian Volunteers, 
and afterward took part in many engagements. At 
Malvern Hill, in 1862, he was w^ounded in the thigh. 
Later he was commissioned a second lieutenant and 
ordered on recruiting service, and then was made 
first lieutenant, and finally acting quartermaster. 
While at Rawley with his regiment, peace was 
declared and he was mustered out. Settling in 
Council Bluffs, Iowa, he studied law in the office of 
Colonel John H. Keightly. In 1887, he was ap- 
pointed assistant sergeant-at-arms of the Kansas 
State Senate. In the meantime he had worked as 
city editor of the Fort Scott Monitor. At various 
132 



The Bar of Rye Township 

other times he was connected with newspaper 
publications and at one time owned the Seneca 
(Kansas) Tribune. He was connected with the 
Port Chester Daily Record for a number of years. 

Locating in Port Chester more than twenty-five 
years ago, Captain George soon became a familiar 
figure. He took an active interest in the affairs of 
Charles Lawrence Post, No. 378, G. A. R., of Port 
Chester, and was its commander for several terms 
and adjutant for fifteen years. He was assistant 
police justice of the village at the time of his death, 
having been twice appointed to that office. 

Captain George married a second time, his first 
wife having died many years ago. His second wife 
is also deceased. He was buried in Greenwood 
Union Cemetery, Rye, wdth full mihtary honors. 



133 



Edward Heartt Schell 

Edward Heartt Schell resided in the town of Rye 
for many years and was a lawyer of considerable 
prominence, maintaining an office in the city of New 
York. He was graduated from Yale University in 
1 87 1, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and 
from Columbia University Law School in 1873, 
receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. In May, 
1873, at New York City, he was admitted to the 
New York Bar. In 1875, and for many years there- 
after, he had an office at 158 Broadway, New York 
City. At various times he was associated u4th 
Artemus H. Holmes, Edward S. Rapallo, and Henry 
W. Kennedy. Mr. Schell died a resident of Rye 
about seven years ago. He was never married. 



134 



Wilson Faron Wakefield 

Wilson Faron Wakefield was born at Milford, 
Otsego County, New York, April 17, 1845, and 
received his early education in the district schools 
of that locality. 

On October 23, 1861, at the age of sixteen, he 
enlisted for a three-year term in Co. E, 2nd Regt., 
N. Y. Heavy Artillery, and was honorably dis- 
charged November 6, 1863, re-enlisting as a pri- 
vate on the following day in the same company, 
and being finally discharged, September 29, 1865, at 
the age of twenty, having seen service in seven- 
teen engagements, but passing through all without 
injury. 

Returning to his home he decided to enter the 
Baptist ministry, and thereupon took up his studies in 
the University of Rochester, from which he was gradu- 
ated in 1874. His first charge was at Lake Maho- 
pac, N. Y., after which he came to the North Baptist 
Church, Port Chester, N. Y. His pastorate there 
extended from December 2, 1883, to December 28, 
1892. Retiring from the ministry he entered the 
real estate and insurance business in Port Chester, 
and later formed a partnership in that business with 
Edwin A. Knapp. This firm, which eventually 
135 



The Bar of Rye Township 

became one of the leading firms in its line in Port 
Chester, was, after the death of Mr. Knapp, incor- 
porated by Mr. Wakefield, who continued its 
business until he died. While thus engaged Mr. 
Wakefield was elected Justice of the Peace of the 
town of Rye, and served for several years. He had 
the distinction of being the first police justice of the 
village of Port Chester, serving from May, 1906, 
until IMay, 1908. While Justice of the Peace Mr. 
Wakefield studied law and was admitted to the New 
York Bar, November 14, 1905. 

Mr. Wakefield first married Mary E. Baldwin, 
who died at Auburn, N. Y. The issue of this mar- 
riage were Inez, a daughter, who is still living, and 
Faron, a son, who graduated from Yale, but who died 
while a senior at Harvard, on October 11, 1908. On 
July 10, 1913, at New Berhn, N. Y., Judge Wake- 
field married Genevieve D. Reed, a teacher in the 
Rye pubHc schools. She still survives him. 

Mr. Wakefield was a member of the IMasonic and 
Elks Orders, the Knights Templars, the Royal Ar- 
canum, and Charles Lawrence Post No. 378, G. A. 
R. In poHtics, Judge Wakefield was a RepubHcan, 
and was active in politics in the town of Rye for 
several years. He allied himself with the Progressive 
part}^ in 1912. 

Judge Wakefield will probably best be remembered 
as being the originator of the "Children's Picnic, " an 
annual event which he conceived and which for 
many years has been held in Port Chester. All the 
children of the community knew and loved Judge 
136 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Wakefield and to them his death was a great loss. 
He died at Port Chester from an attack of pneumonia 
October 22, 1914. He is buried in the Fort Hill 
Cemetery, Auburn, N. Y. . 



137 



Cadwalader Evans Ogden 

Cadwalader Evans Ogden, born in Philadelphia, 
Pennsylvania, January 24, 1847, and died at St. 
George, Bermuda, March 6, 1888, was the son of 
Gouverneur Morris Ogden, who was born in New 
York City, November 27, 1814, and died at Bar 
Harbor, Maine, July 14, 1884, and Harriet Verena 
(Evans) Ogden, who was born at Point Pleasant, 
Pennsylvania, September 2, 1821, and died at New 
York City, February, 1907. His paternal grand- 
father was David B. Ogden, and his maternal 
grandfather, Cadwalader Evans. 

Mr. Ogden was graduated from Columbia Univer- 
sity, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1867, and 
from Columbia University Law School, with the 
degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1869, being admitted 
to the New York Bar in 1869, at New York City. 
In 1873, Mr. Ogden formed a copartnership with his 
brother, David B. Ogden, which continued until the 
former's death. This firm, from 1877 until 1880, main- 
tained an office in Port Chester, N. Y., in what was 
known as the Abendroth Block on the corner of North 
Main Street and Willett Avenue, and while there 
acted as counsel to the Port Chester Savings Bank. 

Mr. Ogden never married. He was an Episco- 
palian. 



138 



Ebenezer Squires 

In Scharf's History of the County of Westchester, 
which was published in the year 1886, among the list 
of lawyers of Westchester County appears the name 
of Ebenezer Squires, as being a resident of Rye. Very 
careful investigation, however, has failed to confirm 
this statement, and the probabiHties are that no 
lawyer by the name of Ebenezer Squires ever lived 
within the town of Rye. Certainly no such person 
ever maintained a law office there. 



139 



Maurice Dillon 

Maurice E. Dillon or Maurice Dillon, as he pre- 
ferred to be known, was born October 6, 1850, at 
Norfolk, Litchfield County, Connecticut, one of six 
children of Edmund and Margaret Enright Dillon. 
His father, a farmer, was reputed to be one of the 
most scholarly and well-read men of the community, 

Maurice Dillon received his early education in the 
small pubHc school at Norfolk, where he was known 
as a close student, and afterward continued his stud- 
ies at Alleghany, N. Y., where he displayed the same 
studious habits and close apphcation to work. His 
first employment was that of a teacher in the schools 
of Brooklyn, and while there he determined to follow 
the law as a profession. He entered Columbia 
University Law School, pursuing his studies along 
with his occupation as teacher, and was graduated 
therefrom May 17, 1876, receiving the degree of 
Bachelor of Laws. In the same year he was admitted 
to the New York Bar and shortly thereafter to the 
Connecticut Bar. He first entered the office of Bangs 
& Stetson, New York City, later Stetson, Jennings 
& Russell, but forsaking this employment took up 
the practice of law independently at Naugatuck, Con- 
necticut. Not being satisfied with his progress, after 
140 



MA URICE DILLON 



accept an offer which had been made him by Charles 
G. Banks and Martin J. Keogh, who were then 
practicing at Port Chester, N. Y., and New Rochelle, 
N. Y., to take over their Port Chester office. This 
he did in about the year 1880. He then located in 
Port Chester and it was not long before his ability 
and integrity attracted the attention of the sound 
men of the community, and his success was assured 
by his appointment, in 1884, as counsel to the Port 
Chester Savings Bank. In 1889, he was elected a 
trustee of that institution, and continued to hold both 
those positions until the time of his death. His 
acquaintance with Justice Keogh ripened into a 
lasting and delightful friendship. 

His first office was located in what is known as 
the Centennial building, on North Main Street, 
and from there he moved to the First National 
Bank building, which was erected in 1889. Here he 
remained until his death. He never held public office 
except as a member of the local board of education. 
Although never actively interested in politics, his 
judgment and advice were often sought in matters 
relating to public affairs. He was a Democrat, but 
independently so. 

He was of a retiring and unassuming disposition, 
almost, at times, to the point of embarrassment, 
and disliked notoriety or display. He possessed a 
remarkably even and lovable disposition and per- 
formed many acts of charity in a quiet way. He 
incorporated the Ladies Hospital Association of Port 
141 






The Bar of Rye Township 

Chester (now United Hospital), and continued to be 
its counsel to the time of his death, accepting no 
recompense for the large amount of work he did, and, 
on the other hand, contributing liberally towards its 
support. 

He conducted much important htigation in this 
locality and had frequently represented the village, 
the town, and the school district in legal matters. 
Not seeking trial work, most of his practice consisted 
of office work, real-estate law, and the settlement of 
estates. During his time, he doubtless enjoyed a 
larger surrogate's practice than any of his local con- 
temporaries. 

At the time of his death, and for several years 
before, he resided on Sound View Street, Port 
Chester, He was an authority on general literature 
and possessed a large and well selected library at 
his home, and a splendid law library at his office. 
Indeed, his books were his most valued possessions. 
Beside his leaning toward literature, he was to no 
small extent an authority on music and art. 

He was a member of the Westchester County Bar 
Association, the New York State Bar Association, 
and the Catholic and Lotus Clubs of New York. 
Frequently he had been urged to become an officer 
of the Westchester County Bar Association, but 
with characteristic modesty had always declined. 
He did, however, serve as a member of its Grievance 
Committee for a number of years. 

His death occurred most suddenly while he was 
returning to his home from his office, at about six 
142 



The Bar of Rye Township 

o'clock in the evening of October 24, 1913. Mr. 
Dillon never married. He was survived by three 
brothers, Edmund Dillon, of New Britain, Connecti- 
cut, and John and Jeremiah Dillon, of Denver, 
Colorado, and by the children of a deceased sister, 
Mary Dillon Mulville, of Norfolk, Connecticut. 

For more than thirty years, Mr. Dillon had been a 
part of the life of the village of Port Chester, and 
had become a familiar and prominent figure therein. 
There was mourning throughout the community 
when his death was learned. Among the members 
of the Port Chester Bar, he was unquestionably the 
leader, and the dean as well. 

His funeral was held at St. Mary's Roman Catho- 
lic Church, Port Chester, where he had been a 
communicant for many years, the services being 
conducted by the Rev. John A. Waters, who for 
many years had been an intimate friend of his. Mr. 
Dillon's remains were interred in his family's burial 
plot at Norfolk, Connecticut. 

Both the county and supreme courts adjourned 
out of respect to his memory, and in adjourning the 
county court. Judge WilHam P. Piatt made the 
follo\\4ng remarks which were spread on the court 
records : 

"We record with sorrow the sudden death of 
Maurice Dillon, one of the most distinguished 
members of the County Bar, who has passed nearly 
all of his professional career in this county. He was 
endowed with the highest and best quaHties of man- 
hood. Esteemed and beloved by all, he was an 

143 



The Bar of Rye Township 

example of perfect morality and high integrity, 
God-fearing and honorable among men. " 

On March 9, 1914, joint memorial services were 
held by the Bar of Westchester County on the death 
of Mr. Dillon and of former Surrogate Frank V. 
Millard, who had died not long after Mr. Dillon. At 
these services addresses were made by the president 
of the Bar Association and by Justice Martin J. 
Keogh and others. 

The following tribute was paid Mr. Dillon by the 
members of the Port Chester Bar: 

"At a meeting of the members of the bar of the 
Village of Port Chester, New York, held at the 
chambers of the Surrogate of Westchester County, 
in said village, on the 30th day of October, 19 13, for 
the purpose of taking action upon the death of 
Maurice Dillon, Esq., the following memorial was 
presented and adopted : 

" The death of Maurice Dillon, a member of the 
Port Chester Bar, coming so unexpectedly, on 
Friday, October 24, 1913, while in the full enjoy- 
ment of his intellectual power and at the height of 
his usefulness, must be regarded as a severe loss to 
the profession, as well as to the community at large. 

' ' He had pursued his profession in this village for 
more than thirty years and as he possessed, at the 
time of his death, the distinction of having served 
in Port Chester the longest of any member of the 
Bar, we entertained for him a peculiar affection 
and regard. 

" He was a man of learning, probity, and sympathy. 

"Throughout his professional career he strove to 
maintain and uphold the highest ideals and best 
144 



The Bar of Rye Township 

traditions of the Bar. He never violated a trust, 
shirked a responsibility, or took an unfair advantage 
of any one. 

"He possessed the happy faculty and acquired the 
reputation of bringing Htigants to an adjustment of 
their differences without recourse to the courts, and 
that he was a peace-loving man is typified by an 
expression to which he frequently gave voice: 'There 
never was a good war nor a bad peace. ' 

"To the poor and oppressed he was a friend, and to 
the struggling young la\\yer an inspiration and a help. 

"Aside from his attainments as a lawyer, he pos- 
sessed a fund of information on matters in general 
and was particularly well versed in the arts and in 
literature. 

"As a citizen he was identified with many public 
movements looking to the betterment of local condi- 
tions, freely giving his time and encouragement to 
anything that stood for the well-being and uplift 
of the community. His acts of charity and benevo- 
lence were many and varied, but never ostentatious. 

' ' He had the respect and esteem of all who knew him 
and his friendship was a privilege to be highly prized. 

"A law>^er's life, especially in the country, is usually 
uneventful. The performance of his daily duty ex- 
cites little or only passing notice, but when the end 
comes and we review the career of a la^^^yer such 
as that of our late associate, we realize that he did 
not live in vain and that his memory' and example 
will become dearer as the years pass on. 

"We had in our deceased brother a type of that just 
and upright man whose path the sacred word likens 
to the 'shining light that shineth more and more 
unto the perfect day. ' 

"(Signed) Jerome A. Peck, DeWitt H. Lyon, A. 

R. Wilcox, William A. Sawyer, Charles F. Dalton, 
10 145 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Walter A. Ferris, Wilson F. Wakefield, John L. 
Coward, Herman A. Schupp, Charies W. Stevens, 
Samuel Wein, Louis C. A. Lewin, Frederick W. 
Sherman, George A. Slater, William Baruch, 
William D. Sporborg, William A. Davidson, Benja- 
min I. Taylor, Frederick G. Schmidt, Thomas F. 
J. Connolly, Moses Miller, Robert R. Rosan, 
Roy L. Burns, William C. Young." 



146 



John Penrose Maule 

Born in Pennsville, Ohio, September 15, 1852, 
John Penrose Maule was a son of Edward and 
Hannah (Penrose) Maule, and a grandnephew of 
Joshua Maule, founder of the Quaker sect of Maule- 
ites, descendant of Lord Penhyr. He traced his 
ancestry back to William the Conqueror. The 
Maule family is conspicuous in history, including 
among its members lawyers, statesmen, and reform- 
ers. Mathew Maule, the first one of the family in 
America, who located at Salem, Massachusetts, was 
condemned as a heretic and gained the name of 
"No Devil Maule" because he denied the existence 
of a devil, in consequence of which his property was 
confiscated. 

Mr. Maule was admitted to the Nebraska Bar in 
1876, later to the Colorado Bar, and to the New 
York Bar, March, 1906. He was also admitted 
to practice in the United States Supreme Court. 
At one time he was city attorney of Lincoln, Ne- 
braska, and from 1878 to 1882, was district attorney 
of the fifth judicial district of Nebraska. He was 
also district judge of that district, and later was 
chairman of the Republican State Central Committee 
of Nebraska. 

147 



The Bar of Rye Township 

On August 15, 1877, at Lincoln, Nebraska, Mr. 
Maule married Mary Katharine Finigan, daughter 
of Henry P. and Margaret F. Finigan. Of this 
marriage the issue were Frances, born October 24, 
1878, Florence, born December 11, 1880, and Harry 
E., born July 13, 1887. 

Mr. Maule maintained a law office in Port Chester, 
N. Y., for a short time, and spent his summers in 
the town of Rye from 1903 until he died. His death 
occurred at Kingston, N. Y., November 26, 1913. 



148 



CORNELIUS EUGENE KENE 



Cornelius Eugene Kene 

Cornelius Eugene Kene, the son of John R. and 
EUen J. (Newnan) Kene, was born in Brooklyn, 
November 6, 1852. In childhood he removed with 
his parents to Tuckahoe, Westchester County, 
where he was educated in the pubUc schools, until 
1867 He then studied in preparatory schools 
in New York, and in Baltimore and Ilchester, 
Maryland, until 1871. He was graduated from 
Columbia University Law School in May, 1873. and 
in December of that year was admitted to the New 
York Bar. He shortly afterward entered the law 
ofhce of Close & Robertson, at White Plains. In 
1876 and 1877, he was clerk to the Senate Judiciary 
Committee, and assisted Montgomery H. Throop 
in revising and editing the code of civil procedure. 
In 1877 he became a member of the firm of Banks. 
Keogh & Kene, composed of Charles G. Banks, 
Martin J. Keogh, and himseH, with offices m New 
Rochelle and Port Chester, N. Y. This firm was 
superseded by that of Banks & Kene. Jrom Janu- 
ary 1879, he conducted his practice independently 
ope'ning an office in New York in 1885. He served 
as poHce justice and also as corporation counsel of 
New Rochelle. Mr. Kene mamed Miss Emma C. 
149 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Ehrhart, of New York City. Their children are 
Cornelius E., Jr., and Julian. Mr. Kene died at 
New Rochelle, on February lo, 1900. He is buried 
there. 



150 



EDWARD BOIES COWLES 





^ 



i^ 



;.'! 



Edward Boies Cowles 

Edward Boies Cowles, the eldest child of Edward 
Pitkin Cowles, former Supreme Court Justice of the 
State of New York, and Sarah Ely (Boies) Cowles, 
was bom at Canaan, Connecticut, on October 2, 
1854. He was graduated from Williston Seminary 
(Mass.) in 1871, and thereafter took up the study 
of law. He was admitted to the New York Bar in 
1875, in the first department. In 1871 he had en- 
tered his father's office at 33 Wall Street, New York 
City, with whom he continued to be associated 
until the latter 's death in 1874, when his brother, 
Charles P., joined him, and a copartnership was 
formed under the name of E. B. & C. P. Cowles. 
This name was continued until 191 1, and became 
widely knowm, Charles P. Cowles, after the death of 
Edward, and Justus A. B. Cowles, another brother, 
conducting their practice thereunder. 

Mr. Cowles moved with his parents to the town of 
Rye in 1870, and continued to reside there until the 
date of 'his death. He never married. He was a 
Republican and a member of the Union League and 
Laurentian Fishing (Montreal) Clubs. At the time 
of his death he was a member and trustee of the Rye 
Presbyterian Church. He died at his residence on 
151 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Milton Road, August lo, 1887, and is buried in the 
Hudson City Cemetery, Hudson, N. Y. Although 
less than thirty- three years of age when he died, he 
had, nevertheless, risen to a place of prominence in 
his profession. 



152 



Daniel Edward Seybel 

Daniel Edward Seybel was born in New York City, 
April 5, 1858, son of Frederick and Sophie (Veoltzel) 
Seybel. He was of French ancestry. He gradu- 
ated from the College of the City of New York, 
receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and, in 
1877, from the Columbia University Law School, 
receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He took 
his Bar examination in New York City in 1879, and 
was admitted to the New York Bar in that year, in 
the first department. 

Mr. Seybel was a member of the firm of Fettretch, 
Silkman & Seybel from 1890 until 1910; of the firm 
of Fettretch & Seybel from 1910 until 191 2, and of 
the firm of Seybel & French, from 1912 until 191 5. 

He married Lala Baldwin Morton, of Staten 
Island, daughter of Washington and Laura Geddes 
(Baldwin) Morton. Of this marriage two children 
were born, who died in infancy. Mrs. Seybel is 
also dead. Mr. Seybel was a resident of the town of 
Rye for ten years, owning a large estate on Ridge 
Street, where he died May 4, 1915. He is buried in 
Kensico Cemetery. 

Mr. Seybel was a member of the Association of the 
Bar of the City of New York, and of the Union 
League, Riding, New York Athletic, Hardware, 
Lawyers, Apawamis, and Larchmont Yacht Clubs. 



153 



Alonzo Draper 

Alonzo Draper, who was born at Waquoit, Mass., 
in 1858, removed in early life to Sing Sing, now 
Ossining, N. Y., whence he removed to Port Chester, 
N. Y., and there practiced law during the years 
1882, 1883, and 1884, maintaining an office in the 
Kelley building, now the Imerblum building, on 
Liberty Square. After closing his office in Port 
Chester he returned to Sing Sing where, in the later 
years of his Hfe, he conducted a co-partnership with 
Smith Lent, one time county judge of Westchester 
county, with offices in Sing Sing and New York City. 
For a time he acted as deputy collector of internal 
revenue, and later was an appointee in the State 
Treasurer's office at Albany. He also served as a 
member of the board of auditors of the town of 
Ossining, 

Mr. Draper was the son of Charles T. and Ellen 
(Childs) Draper, both of Massachusetts. He was 
descended from a long line of Puritan and Huguenot 
ancestors, of whom may be mentioned such well 
known family names as Sylvester and L'Hommedieu. 
In early years he attended Dr. Holbrook's Military 
Academy, Sing Sing, and later was graduated from 
the Albany Law School. 

154 



ALONZO DRAPER 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Mr. Draper died at Sing Sing in 1895. For a 
number of years he was a member of the vestry of 
Trinity Episcopal Church of Sing Sing, and also 
served as clerk of the vestry of that church. He 
was an ardent republican and an active campaign 
worker and speaker. He was also a writer of con- 
siderable abiHty and for some time contributed 
largely in the way of editorials to various repubH- 
can newspapers. Mr. Draper was a man of excellent 
reputation, and his death, particularly at such an 
early age, was no small loss to the profession. 



155 



William Washington Smith Roome 

William Washington Smith Roome practiced law in 
Port Chester, N. Y. , for a number of years. In 1 877, 
he was in the office of John H. Clapp, on the south- 
east corner of Main and Adee Streets, Port Chester, 
where he remained for two years. In 1881, he was 
practicing on his own account. He resided with his 
stepfather at Byram Shore, East Port Chester, Con- 
necticut. He married and afterward went to Kansas, 
where he purchased a sheep ranch. Later he moved 
to Denver, Colorado, where he married a second 
time. 

We are informed from another source, however, 
that Mr. Roome married but once, and that he died 
in New York City very shortly after the death of his 
wife, where she also died. 

Mr. Roome was a son of Charles Oakley Roome, 
who was born September 17, 1833, and died June 
22, 1876, and Evelena E. Smith. They were married 
April 29, 1856, and, beside Mr. Roome, had a daugh- 
ter, Frances O. Roome, born January 21, 1859, died 
April 20, 1864. Charles Oakley Roome married 
again, January 28, 1864, Marie Reviere, of which 
marriage the issue were Charles Oakley H., Adolphe 
R. Edward, and Samuel Douglas. 

Mr. Roome's grandfather was Edward Roome, 
who was a son of Nicholas Roome. 



156 



Jacob Halstead 

Jacob Halstead was born in the town of Harrison, 
April 9, i860, a son of David P. and Fannie A. 
(Cooley) Halstead. He was educated at Exeter, 
N. H., at New York University, and Colmnbia 
University Law School, receiving the degree of 
LL.B., from the latter in 1883. He began the study 
of law in the office of Winsor & Marsh, New York 
City, and after being admitted to the Bar in Febru- 
ary, 1884, became managing clerk in the office of 
Knox & Woodward, New York City. From and 
after 1886 he practiced independently. 

At one time Mr. Halstead lived in the town of 
Rye, and, in about 1893, removed to Mamaroneck. 
On April 8, 1885, he married Clara S., daughter of 
Richard and Mary Kenworthy, of Poughkeepsie. 

For several years he served as a member of the 
RepubHcan county committee, was at one time 
trustee of the village of Mamaroneck, was a member 
of the district committee of the second Assembly 
district, and frequently was a delegate to the State, 
county, and local conventions of the RepubHcan 
party. He took an active interest in the incorpora- 
tion of Mamaroneck and Rye Neck as a village. 
157 



The Bar of Rye Township 

He was a member of the Republican, Manhattan, 
Larchmont Yacht, Wykagyl Country, and Cutty 
Hunt Clubs, and Zeta Psi Fraternity. He died about 
three years ago. 



158 



R. Burnham Moffat 

R. Burnham Moffat, son of Dr. Reuben Curtis 
and Elizabeth Virginia (Barclay) Moffat, was born 
January 7, 1861. He was graduated from Harvard 
University in 1883, with the degree of Bachelor of 
Arts, and from Columbia University Law School in 
1885, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was 
admitted to the New York Bar in 1885. 

On June 5, 1895, Mr. Moffat married Ellen Low 
Pierrepont, of which marriage the children were Jay 
Pierrepont, born at Rye, 1896, Elizabeth Barclay, 
born at Rye, 1898, and Abbot Low, born 1901. Mrs. 
Moffat is a great-great-granddaughter of John Jay. 
Mr. Moffat died at Plainville, Connecticut, on 
June 21, 1916, and is buried at Greenwood Cemetery, 
Brooklyn. He resided in the town of Rye, during 
the summers of 1896-97-98-99. 

Mr. Moffat was a member of the American Bar 
Association, the New York State Bar Association, 
the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, 
the New York Genealogical and Biographical So- 
ciety, the New York Historical Society, the Society of 
Colonial Wars, and the University, Century, Down- 
town, Harvard, Automobile of America, and St. 
Andrew's Golf Clubs. His poHtics was Democratic. 
He was an Episcopalian. Mr. Moffat was eminent 
in his profession, and altogether highly respected. 



159 



Waldron Williams 

Waldron Williams became a resident of the town 
of Rye in 1905, and died at his home, Stonehouse, 
Kirby Lane, Rye, July 19, 191 7. He was born in 
New York City, June 5, 1863, son of Ichabod T. and 
EHzabeth (Skelding) WilHams. 

Mr. Williams was graduated from Columbia 
University with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 
1885, and from Columbia University Law School 
with the degree of Bachelor of Laws in 1887. Taking 
his Bar examination in 1887, he was admitted to the 
New'York Bar in June of that year, in the first de- 
partment. From 1885 to 1887, he was in the'office 
of Stewart & Boardman, and from 1887 to 1889, in 
the office of McFarland, Boardman & Piatt. A few 
years thereafter he discontinued the practice of law 
and became interested with his father in the limiber 
business in New York City. 

Mr. Williams married in November, 1891, Jose- 
phine Hotchkiss of New York City, daughter of 
Horace L. and Clara (Taylor) Hotchkiss. Of this 
marriage were born Constance W., Josephine W., 
Hope W., and Barent W. 

From 1906 until 1913, Mr. Williams was president 
of the Rye Village Board of Health. He was at one 
160 



The Bar of Rye Township 

time chairman of the Westchester County Demo- 
cratic Committee and at the time of his death 
was an active member of the Rye Home Defense 
Battalion. 

Mr. Williams was a member of the University, 
Racquet and Tennis, Automobile of America, Aero of 
America, Colimibia University, Apawamis, Ameri- 
can Yacht, and Miantonomah Clubs. He was an 
Episcopalian. 



[6i 



William L. Conklin 

William L. ConkHn practiced law in Port Chester, 
N. Y., about the year 1901, with William J. Walsh, 
under the firm name of Conklin & Walsh, having an 
office in what was then known as the Henderson 
building, 18 North Main Street. Mr. ConkHn was at 
one time in the office of Martin J. Keogh, and was 
admitted to the New York Bar in June, 1876, at Al- 
bany, being then a resident of Mount Vernon. He 
afterward entered the office of the late William J. 
Marshall, in Mount Vernon, and while there was 
appointed assistant corporation counsel of that 
city. He died several years ago. 



162 



Rawson Lockwood Smith 

Rawson Lockwood Smith, who was born in New 
York City, November 12, 1870, came to the town of 
Rye with his parents in August, 1881, where he 
resided until his death, which occurred suddenly 
from heart disease, at his home 30 Melbourne Ave- 
nue, Mamaroneck, February 7, 1918. 

Mr. Smith was a son of William Harvey and Mary 
Alsop (Lockwood) Smith. On his paternal side he 
was a descendant of Joseph Lockwood, captain of 
the militia raised in Poundridge, Westchester County, 
to whom a commission was issued September 13, 
1775, and who, while a lieutenant, led reinforce- 
ments to assist Ethan Allen in the capture of Fort 
Ticonderoga. On his maternal side Mr. Smith was a 
descendant of Ebenezer Lockwood, a first Judge of 
the Court of Common Pleas of Westchester County, 
a member of the second, third, and fourth Provincial 
Congresses, a member of the committee which 
selected the site for, and supervised the building of, 
the second county court house at White Plains, and 
major of the 26. Westchester County Militia. 

Mr. Smith was graduated from Columbia Univer- 
sity Law School with the degree of Bachelor of Laws 
June 10, 1 891. He took his Bar examination and 
163 



The Bar of Rye Township 

was admitted to the New York Bar at Poughkeepsie, 
May 12, 1892, being also admitted subsequently 
to practice in the United States Circuit and District 
Courts for the Southern District of New York. 
From 1891 to 1894, he was in the office of Joseph S. 
Wood, Mt. Vernon, N. Y., and from 1895 to 1908, 
was a member of the firm of Hunt & Smith, com- 
posed of himself and the late David H. Hunt, of 
White Plains. From 1908, Mr. Smith engaged in 
practice on his own account, with an office at Mama- 
roneck. In 1898, he acted as corporation counsel 
of the village of Mamaroneck. 

Mr. Smith was a lawyer of considerable ability and 
wide acquaintance throughout the county of West- 
chester. He was a familiar figure at the county 
court house. Because of the large number of cases 
that he handled without thought of compensation, 
he gained the name of the "Poor Man's Lawyer." 
He never married. In politics he was a Democrat, 
and occasionally took an active interest therein 
in his home town. He attended St. Thomas's 
Protestant Episcopal Church, in Mamaroneck. 



[64 



ERNEST PECK 



Ernest Ferris Hibbard Peck 

Ernest Ferris Hibbard Peck, or Ernest Peck, as he 
preferred to be known, was born at Port Chester, 
N. Y., August 1 6, 1874, a son of Cephas and Jose- 
phine (Ferris) Peck, and a brother of Jerome Alvord 
Peck. He was a descendant of William Peck, who 
settled in the New Haven Colony, in 1637. 

Mr. Peck attended the Port Chester public schools, 
and in 1898 was graduated from the New York 
University Law School, with the degree of Bachelor 
of Laws. In that summer he removed from Port 
Chester to the West and traveled as far as Alaska, 
where he remained for some time. Returning to the 
State of Washington, he was admitted to the Wash- 
ington Bar at Olympia, in October, 1899. He fin- 
ally settled at Chesaw, where, on December 25, 
1902, he married Stella Smalley, of that place, 
daughter of Mathew A. and Eliza (Benson) Smalley. 
One child was born of this marriage, Helen Josephine, 
November 26, 1904. 

Mr. Peck attained to a position of prominence in 
his profession and was elevated to the bench, serving 
as Judge of the Superior Court of the State of 
Washington from 1909 until his death, which 
occurred suddenly from an attack of pneumonia on 
165 



The Bar of Rye Township 

December 3, 1910, at Spokane, Washington. He is 
buried at Chesaw, Washington. Judge Peck was a 
resident of Port Chester from the time of his birth 
until the summer of 1898. 



166 



Noah Loder, Jr. 

Noah Loder, Jr., was born in New York City, 
September 6, 1874, a son of Noah Loder, who was 
born at Rye, N. Y., July 7, 1847, and who died 
at Port Chester, N. Y., May, 1914, and Mary 
Elizabeth (Johnston) Loder, who was born in New 
York City. His paternal grandparents were Moses 
Jarvis and Jane Eliza Loder, and his maternal grand- 
parents were William and Martha Johnston. Mr. 
Loder attended the Port Chester public schools, the 
Greenwich Academy, Princeton University, and the 
New York Law School, receiving from the last 
the degree of LL.B. He was admitted to the New 
York Bar, June 29, 1896. In 1901, he was with the 
firm of Redfield & Redfield, and in 1903 was a 
member of the firm of Peletier & Loder. 

On September 8, 1897, Mr. Loder married Sarah 
L. Purdy of Port Chester, daughter of James Brown 
and Phebe Hatfield (Merritt) Purdy, and of this 
marriage were born Mary Elizabeth, April 23, 1900, 
and James Purdy, October 21, 190 1. 

Mr. Loder was a member of the Princeton Club, 
and in politics a Republican. He was a Methodist. 
He resided in the town of Rye from 1879 until 1897, 
167 



The Bar of Rye Township 

and from 1903 until the time of his death, which 
occurred at Port Chester January 6, 1917. His 
remains are interred in Greenwood Union Cemetery 
Rye. ^' 



168 



Richard Steel 

Richard Steel, who was born in Auburn, N. Y., 
August 21, 1880, son of Richard C. and Frances 
(Haight) Steel, located in Rye village about August 
1, 1913, where he continued to reside until his death, 
which occurred suddenly at the United Hospital, 
Port Chester, March 11, 1918, following an oper- 
ation for appendicitis. 

Mr. Steel was a graduate of Williams College 
(A.B., 1902) and of Harvard Law School (LL.B. 
cum laude, 1905). He took his Bar examination at 
Syracuse, in 1904, and was admitted to the New 
York Bar, January 2, 1905, at Rochester. Later he 
was admitted to the United States Circuit and Dis- 
trict Courts for the southern district of New York 
and to the Circuit Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit. 
From 1905 to 1909 he was with the firm of Philbin, 
Beekman & Menken; during 191 5 and 1 91 6 was a 
member of the firm of Kidder, Ayres & Peabody; 
and since January, 191 7, had been with the firm of 
Alger & Ayres, 27 William Street, New York City. 
From 1909 to i9i5.Mr. Steel was secretary to 
Supreme Court Justice Irving Lehman. 

On May 6, 191 1, at Rye, Mr. Steel married Miss 
Mary C. Hamilton, daughter of Theodore F. and 
169 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Kate M. (Luther) Hamilton of Rye. His wife 
survives him. 

Mr. Steel served, 1904-05, in the First Corps 
Cadets, Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, and, 1909- 
II, in the Seventh Regiment, N. G. N. Y. He was a 
member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity, and the Will- 
iams and Apawamis Clubs. In politics he was a 
Republican. 

The funeral services over Mr. Steel were held at 
his home, Seneca Street, Rye, March 13, 1918, the 
Rev. Richard Townsend Henshaw, rector of Christ's 
Church, officiating. His remains were taken to 
Auburn, where they were interred in the Fort Hill 
Cemetery. 



170 



"There is certainly, without any exception, no profession in which 
so many temptations beset the path to swerve from the line of strict 
integrity, in which so many delicate and difficult questions of duty 
are continually arising. There are pitfalls and mantraps at every 
step, and the mere youth, at the very outset of his career, needs 
often the prudence and self-denial as well as the moral courage, 
which belong commonly to riper years. High moral principle is the 
only safe guide, the only torch to light his way amidst darkness 
and obstruction." — George Sharswood. 



171 



The following biographies of lawyers, still living, are arranged, 
as far as possible, in the order of dates of admission to the Bar. 



172 



Henry Parsons 

Born Sharon Springs, N. Y., November 21, 1835, 
son of James Parsons, born Sharon Springs, Novem- 
ber I, 1806, died Sharon Springs, October 25, 1874, 
and Hannah (Moyer) Parsons, born Sharon Springs, 
January 15, 1807, died Sharon Springs, November 
10, 1886. Descendant of Joseph Parsons, of Spring- 
field, Mass., 1636, and Northampton, Mass., 1655; 
also of Elijah Parsons, born 1744, George Best, born 
1753, Christopher Moyer, born 1750, and Severinus 
Cook, born 1752, Revolutionary soldiers. Attended 
Fort Plain (N. Y.) Seminary, 1855; Williston Semi- 
nary, Easthampton, Mass., 1856-7; graduated 
Union College, A.B., 1861, A.M., 1864. Admitted 
N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, December, 1863; U. S. Dist. 
and Circuit Courts, S. D. N. Y. Practiced N. Y. City 
since 1863. Married, N. Y. City, July, 1867, Agnes 
TurnbuU, who died March, 1869, daughter of John 
and Elizabeth (Whiteside) Turnbull of N. Y. City. 
Married, N. Y. City, March, 1873, Fannie Griscom, 
daughter of Dr. John H. and Henrietta (Peale) 
Griscom of N. Y. City. Children: Agnes, born 
March 4, 1869; Henry Griscom, born April 6, 1874; 
H. Grace, born July 5, 1875; Bertha, born January 
18, 1877; Howard C, born May 31, 1878; John, born 
173 



The Bar of Rye Township 

March 4, 1882; Maude, born May 31, 1883, died 
March 5, 1913. Captain Co. G., 134th Regt. N.Y. 
Vols, in Civil War. Member Delta Kappa Epsilon 
and Phi Beta Kappa Fraternities, N. Y. Genealogi- 
cal and Biographical Society, Military Order Loyal 
Legion U. S. Republican. Presbyterian. Resident 
town of Rye, 1 882-1 899. Office 140 Nassau St., 
N. Y. City; residence 29 W. 56th St., N, Y. City. 



174 



Frank Richard Lawrence 

Born N. Y. City, 1845, son of Benjamin and 
Marianne Lawrence. Attended New York City- 
public schools. Admitted New York Bar, New 
York City, November, 1869. Married, 1876, Eva 
Annette Reed (died 1901). Children: Frank, Her- 
bert R., Connor. Trustee American Surety Co., Gar- 
field Safe Deposit Co. ; director Chatham and Phenix 
National Bank. Member Dunlap Society and Lotos, 
New York Yacht, American Yacht, Apawamis, 
Manhattan, and Lawyers Clubs. Former resident 
town of Rye. Office 60 Broadway, N. Y. City. 



175 



John Henry Clapp 

Born N. Y. City, September 6, 1847, son of 
John Jacob Clapp, a lawyer of high repute, born 
Ossining, N. Y., October 7, 18 18, died White 
I Plains, N. Y., February 6, 1866, and Maria Caroline 

I (Banta) Clapp, born N. Y. City, August 31, 1819, died 

Port Chester, N. Y., November 26, 1895. Graduated 
Hopkins Grammar School, New Haven, 1865; gradu- 
ated Union College, Schenectady, LL.B., 1869. 
Admitted New York Bar, Poughkeepsie, June, 1870. 
Studied in office Jackson O. Dykman; copartner 
Amherst Wight and Amherst Wight, Jr., New York 
City and Port Chester, January i, 1871-June 28, 
1877; copartner Charles H. Ropes (Clapp & Ropes), 
119 Broadway, New York City, and southeast corner 
Main and Adee Streets, Port Chester, 1878-80; co- 
, _ partner Jarvis W. Mason, N. Y. City and Port 

I Chester, 1889-92; continued practice N. Y. City 

until 1896, and thereafter went West, discontinuing 
office in 1901. Since 1901 resided in West. Married, 
November 4, 1874, Mary J. (Purdy) Ropes of Port 
Chester, who died February 2, 1909. No children. 
Referee on dissolution New York, Northern and 
Housatonic R. R. Co., and receiver thereof. Former 

176 



The Bar of Rye Township 

chairman Cornell Dam Commission. Former mem- 
ber commission securing water rights, New Rochelle. 
Widower. Republican. Episcopalian. Resident 
town of Rye twenty-six years. 



177 



David B. Ogden 

Born N. Y. City, November 3, 1849, son of 
Gouverneur Morris and Harriet Verena (Evans) 
Ogden. Paternal grandfather David B. Ogden; 
maternal grandfather Cadwalader Evans. Gradu- 
ated Columbia University, A.B., 1869; Columbia 
University Law School, LL.B., 1871. Admitted New 
York Bar, New York City, June, 1871. Formerly 
member C. E. & D. B. Ogden, with office corner N. 
Main Street and Willett Avenue, Port Chester, N. Y., 
1877-80; Beekman & Ogden; Ogden, Beekman & 
Ogden; Parsons, Shepard & Ogden, New York City. 
Married, April 17, 1877, Mary E. daughter of John 
and Marian (Evans) Sherman of New York City. 
Children: Gouverneur Morris, born September 28, 
1879, died 1896; Mary E., born November 30, 1883; 
Harriet V. C, born January 10, 1888. Former 
counsel Port Chester Savings Bank. Member Assn. 
Bar City N. Y., and Century, University, Tuxedo, 
and Church Clubs. Politics independent. Epis- 
copalian. Office 52 William Street, N. Y. City; 
residence 12 E. loth St., N. Y. City. 



178 



Archibald Henderson Taylor 

Born Washington, D. C, July 6, 1851, son of 
Henry Allen and Anne E. V. (Henderson) Taylor. 
Paternal grandfather Robert Johnstone Taylor; 
maternal grandfather General Archibald Henderson, 
commandant U. S. Marine Corps. Graduated 
University of Virginia, A.M., 1873. Admitted 
Virginia Bar, 1873; Maryland Bar, 1874; Court of 
Appeals, Maryland; Supreme Bench, Baltimore; 
U. S. Supreme Court; Maryland and Virginia Circuit 
Courts of Appeal, and Maryland State Courts. 
Practiced in Baltimore forty years. Married, Port 
Chester, N. Y., July 10, 1907, Mary M. Parker, 
daughter of Richard and Mary (Thorndike) Parker. 
No children. Member Maryland Legislature, 1892. 
Member Maryland, University, Baltimore, Country 
(Baltimore) , and American Yacht Clubs. Independ- 
ent Democrat. Episcopalian. Resident town of 
Rye since 1 907. Office 406 Maryland Trust Bldg., 
Baltimore, Md. ; residences 4 E. Eager St., Baltimore. 
and 96 Sound View St., Port Chester. 



179 



Charles Green Banks 

Born Middle Patent, North Castle, N. Y., May 26, 
1846, son of James P. and Thursa A. (Palmer) Banks. 
Moved to New Rochelle 1864. Graduated New 
York University Law School, LL.B., 1875. Ad- 
mitted New York Bar, 1875. Copartner Martin J. 
Keogh (Banks & Keogh), offices New Rochelle and 
Port Chester, N. Y., about 1876; copartner Martin 
J. Keogh and CorneHus E. Kene (Banks, Keogh & 
Kene), offices New Rochelle and Port Chester, 
about 1877, succeeded by Banks & Kene. Office in 
New Rochelle since 1877. Married, May 16, 1877, 
Fanny E. Morgan, daughter of Charles V. Morgan 
of Tuckahoe, N. Y. No children. Police Justice 
New Rochelle 1875-79; corporation counsel New 
Rochelle six years; register Westchester County 
1888-90; president New Rochelle 1885-91; former 
editor and owner New Rochelle Pioneer. Office 6 
Bridge St., New Rochelle; residence Webster Ave., 
New Rochelle. 



180 



Thomas Townsend Sherman 

Born London, Eng., where his parents were tem- 
porarily sojourning, July 28, 1853, son of Edward 
Standish Sherman, born New Haven, Connecticut, 
January 27, 1818, died Rye, N. Y., August 11, 1882, 
and Catharine Augusta (Townsend) Sherman, born 
Boston, March 24, 1823, died Rye, May 24, 1902. 
Attended private schools of Parker & Berthet and 
Benj. W. Dwight (N. Y.) ; Fairfield (Conn.) Academy; 
Hopkins Grammar School, New Haven, 1866-70; 
graduated Yale University, B.A., 1874; graduated 
Columbia University Law School, LL.B., 1876. 
Admitted New York Bar, Brooklyn, December 13, 
1876, U. S. Supreme Court, April 17, 1903. Entered 
office Evarts, Southmayd & Choate, February 11, 
1875; continued with that firm which included among 
its members Hon. Wm. M. Evarts, Charles F. 
Southmayd, and Hon. Joseph H. Choate, until its 
expiration, July i, 1884; afterwards with successor 
firm Evarts, Choate & Beaman, until Jan., 1902; 
then became member firm Evarts, Tracy & Sher- 
man, composed of Allen W. Evarts, J. Evarts 
Tracy, Thomas T. Sherman, and Herbert J. Bick- 
ford, which firm was succeeded January I, 1908, 
by present firm Evarts, Choate & Sherman, now 
181 



The Bar of Rye Township 

composed of Allen W. Evarts, Thomas T. Sher- 
man, Joseph H. Choate, Jr., Herbert J. Bickford, 
and James Garretson. Married, Rye, October 19, 
1887, Anne Loder Wiggin, daughter of Augustus 
and Ann Elizabeth (Loder) Wiggin, of Rye. One 
child, Emily Balch, born Rye. Delivered historical 
address February 28, 1895, at celebration of two 
hundredth anniversary founding Rye Parish. Trus- 
tee N. Y. Genealogical and Biographical Society; 
member executive committee N. Y. Historical 
Society; member Vestry Christ's Church, Rye, since 
1883; Vestryman April 23, 1883-April 16, 1906; 
Churchwarden since April 16, 1906; Clerk of Vestry 
since April 7, 1893. Governor Apawamis Club, 
1899-1914, vice-president thereof 1903-05 and 1914, 
president thereof 1905-07. Member Assn. Bar 
City N. Y., N. Y. Co. Lawyers Assn., New England 
Soc, New England Historic Genealogical Soc, 
and University, Yale, Downtown, Apawamis, Ameri- 
can Yacht, and Manursing Island Clubs. RepubH- 
can. Episcopalian. Resident town of Rye since 
1874. Office 60 Wall St., N. Y. City; residences 
Rye and 126 East 31st St., N. Y. City. 



182 



John William Boothby 

Born Rawdon, Yorkshire, Eng., July 21, 1848, son 
of John and Eliza Emma (Eastwood) Boothby. 
Settled Pittsfield, 111., with parents in 1850, and there 
began education; graduated Pittsfield High School, 
1869; graduated Cornell University, B. S., 1873; 
teacher Chappaqua Mountain Institute, Friends' 
School, Westchester County, 1873-77; graduated 
Columbia University Law School, LL.B., 1877. 
Admitted New York Bar, Poughkeepsie, 1877. In 
law office Martin J. Keogh, New Rochelle, 1877-79; 
copartner Martin J. Keogh (Keogh & Boothby), Port 
Chester, N. Y., 1879-81, occupying offices in Centen- 
nial building. North Main Street, and later in New 
York City. After dissolution of this firm, practiced 
in New York City as member of various firms. 
Married, New York City, June 4, 1884, Lilla Mac- 
Dougall, of New York City, daughter of James A. 
and Marilla MacDougall. No children. Governor 
of New Rochelle Hospital various times; vestryman 
Trinity Church, New Rochelle: member Assn. Bar 
City N. Y., Westchester County Bar Assn., and 
Cornell University, Church, and Century Clubs. 
Republican. Episcopalian. Office 32 Nassau St., 
New York City; residence "Overlook," 17 Sound 
View Ave., New Rochelle, N. Y. 



183 



Charles Henry Ropes 

Born N. Y. City, May 7, 1857, son of Benjamin 
Gardner and Mary J. (Purdy) Ropes; grandson 
of Benjamin Ropes, officer in regular army War 
of 1812; great-grandson of Benjamin Ropes, officer 
in Revolutionary War ; great-great-grandson of Timo- 
thy Pickering, one of Washington's generals and 
Secretary of War and Secretary of State during 
President Washington's administration. Attended 
Park Institute (Rye), and Columbia Grammar 
School ; won State scholarship for Cornell University. 
Took Bar examination, Brooklyn, 1878; admitted as 
attorney-at-law, Brooklyn, September 12, 1878, and 
as counselor-at-law, Poughkeepsie, May 10, 1880; 
admitted Wisconsin Bar, 1883. Counsel in railroad 
and corporation litigation in several States. Studied 
in office Amherst Wight, Jr., Port Chester, N. Y.; 
copartner John H. Clapp (Clapp & Ropes), New York 
City and Port Chester, 1878-80; associated with 
Edward Sanford, John T. Hoffman, Melbert B. Gary, 
Charles W. Wetmore. Active in Westchester 
County politics many years ago. Married, August 
27, 1879, Jennie Louise Hale of Milwaukee, Wis., 
daughter of O. J. and Amelia Hale. One child, 
Fannie, married Robert Stewart Edson, son of 
184 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Franklin Edson, July 5, 1899. Life member New- 
England Society, life member New York Athletic 
Club, trustee Grant Monument. Republican. Pres- 
byterian. Resident town of Rye 1870-82. Resi- 
dence 246 South Second Av., Mount Vernon, N. Y. 



185 



William Porter Allen 

Born N. Y. City, January 13, 1858 son of John T. 
and Harriet (Smith) Allen. Graduated Columbia 
University, 1878; graduated Columbia University 
Law School, 1880. Admitted N. Y. Bar, N. Y. 
City, June, 1880. Married, June 12, 1882, Eleanor 
Graham, daughter of Wilham H. Mathews of 
Harrison, N. Y. Children : Eleanor, wife of Francisco 
Carloni, Florence, Italy; Harriet, wife of John 
Marshall Williams, San Francisco, Cal. Former 
member Board of Education, Rye; trustee Rye 
village for seven years from its incorporation. Mem- 
ber Assn. Bar City N. Y., Westchester County Bar 
Assn., Psi Upsilon and Phi Beta Kappa Fraterni- 
ties, and Apawamis and American Yacht Clubs. 
Republican. Resident town of Rye since 1893. 
Office 10 Wall St., N. Y. City. 



[86 



Peter Townsend Barlow 

Born N. Y. City, June 21. 1857. Graduated 
Harvard University 1879; graduated Columbia 
University Law School. 1881. Married, May 6, 
1886 Virginia Louise Matthews. PoHce Magis- 
trate' N Y. City. Member Soc. Colonial Wars, and 
University, Union, Harvard, American Yacht, and 
Downtown Clubs. Former resident town of Rye. 
Residence 471 Park Av., N. Y. City. 



187 



George Clinton Andrews 

Born Rye, N. Y., December 3, 1858, son of George 
and Maria Clinton (Whiley) Andrews. Great- 
great-grandfather Andrews was seventh man to 
enter Fort Ticonderoga in assault of Colonel Ethan 
Allen. Collateral line includes Governor Andrew, 
famous "war governor" of Mass.; mother was 
daughter of Richard Whiley and Anna Maria 
Beekman, daughter of Stephan D. Beekman and 
Maria Clinton, fifth daughter of Governor George 
Clinton and Cornelia Tappan, Stephan D. Beekman 
having been son of Gerard G. Beekman and Cornelia 
Van Cortlandt, great-granddaughter of Frederick 
Philipse, first lord Philipseburgh Manor. Attended 
school Tarrytown; Delaware Literary Institute, 
Franklin, N. Y. ; studied stenography, medicine. 
Took Bar examination, Poughkeepsie, 1882, Ad- 
mitted N. Y. Bar, Poughkeepsie, 1882. Ofhce in 
Tarrytown, N. Y., since 1882. Married, April 15, 
1884, Julia Biers, daughter of Charles and Charity 
Biers of Tarrytown. Children: Florence B., born 
Mar. II, 1885; George Clinton, Jr., born Nov. 26, 
1 891; Charles B., born Dec. 4, 1893. Official court 
stenographer, Rockland Co., 1880-90; counsel, Tarry- 
town village, 1890-96; counsel, Irvington village, 
188 



The Bar of Rye Township 

several years. Declined Republican Assembly 
nominaton 1894; District Attorney Westchester 
County, 1896-1901; former counsel N. Y. C. & 
H. R. R. R. Co. Member Masonic and Odd Fellows 
Orders, Sons of Revolution, and Soc. Med. Jurispru- 
dence, of which he was trustee several years. Repub- 
lican. Episcopalian. Resident town of Rye 1858- 
60. Office 130 Main St., Tarrytown; residence 93 
Neperan Rd., Tarrytown. 



189 



Charles Pitkin Cowles 

Born N. Y. City, July ii, 1859, son of Edward 
Pitkin Cowles, former Justice N. Y. Supreme Court, 
and Sarah Ely (Boies) Cowles; descendant of John 
Cowles who emigrated from England in 1635 and 
settled at Farmington, Conn. ; descendant on mater- 
nal side of Ely family, who were early settlers at Long 
Meadow, Mass., and Boies family, which became 
estabHshed in Blanford, Mass., in first half 17th 
century. Graduated Park Institute, Rye, 1879; 
graduated Columbia University Law School, LL.B., 
1882. Took Bar examination, Brooklyn, 1882; 
admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, Sept. 15, 1882. 
Entered law office Edward B. Cowles, brother, 
and conducted copartnership (E. B. & C. P. Cowles), 
33 Wall St., N. Y. City, 1882-87; copartner with 
brother, Justus A. B. Cowles (continuing name E. B. 
& C. P. Cowles), N. Y. City, 1 887-1 909, and then re- 
tired, entering paper manufacturing business carried 
on by Pejepscot Paper Co. and W. H. Parsons & Co. 
One of incorporators Rye Lawn Tennis Club, Rye 
Free Reading Room, Rye Village Improvement 
Association, Rye National Bank, Rye Land & 
Improvement Co., and Cowles Realty Co. Pres. Re- 
publican District Assn., 2nd and 3rd election dis- 
190 



The Bar of Rye Township 

-icts, Rye, about ten years. Member Republican 
own Committee. Former Excise Commissioner 
Dwn of Rye. Chief of Police Rye Village during 
rst two years of incorporation for purpose of organ- 
dng police force. Member and director Lauren- 
ian Fishing (Montreal, Can.), American Yacht and 
Lpawamis Clubs; member and one of Session Rye 
'resbyterian Church; director Pejepscot Paper Co. 
nd W. H. Parsons & Co. Unmarried. Republican, 
'resbyterian. Resident town of Rye since 1870. 
)f!ice III Broadway, N. -Y. City; residence Milton 
load. Rye. 



191 



William Wilson Cook 

Born Hillsdale, Mich., Apr. i6, 1858, son of John 
Potter and Martha (Wolford) Cook. Graduated 
University Michigan, A.B., 1880; LL.B., 1882. 
Admitted N. Y. Bar 1883. Trustee Mackay Co.; 
counsel Postal Telegraph Cable Co., Commercial 
Cable Co. Author of Cook on Corporations, Cook 
on Stock and Stockholders. Unmarried. Residence 
in town of Rye past several years. Office 44 Wall 
St., N. Y. City; residences Ridge St., Rye, and 14 
E. 71st St., N. Y. City. 



192 



Frederick William Sherman 

Born N. Y. City, Feb. lo, 1862, son of Edward 
jtandish Sherman (descendant of Miles Standish, the 
^ilgrim, and Roger Sherman, the Signer), born New 
iaven, Conn., Jan. 2"], 1818, died Rye, N. Y., Aug. 
I, 1882, and Catherine Augusta (Townsend) Sher- 
aan, daughter of Dr. Solomon D. Townsend, eminent 
Boston surgeon, born Boston, Mar. 24, 1823, died 
lye. May 24, 1902. Educated at local schools and 
ly tutor; graduated Columbia Law School, LL.B., 
883. Took Bar examination, Brooklyn, 1883; 
.dmitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, 1883; U. S. Dist. 
:ourt, S. D. N. Y., 1885; U. S. Circuit Court, S. D. 
I. Y., 1887. Studied in office Jennings & Russell, 
J. Y. C, 1881-85; with Davies & Rappallo, 1885-87; 
egan practice White Plains, 1887; office Ryan bldg., 
*ort Chester, N. Y., since 1892. Married, Apr. 24, 
894, Grace Blanchard (died May 3, 1917), of Salem, 
I. Y., daughter of Hon. Anthony and Jeannie 
Martin) Blanchard. No children. Appointed, 1903, 
pecial counsel N. Y. City proceedings condemn 
mds surrounding Byram, Rye, and Wampus 
/akes, and along Byram and Wampus Rivers; 
ounsel park commissioners town of Rye, 1908-09; 
ounsel town of Rye, 1910-11, conducted proceed- 
13 193 



The Bar of Rye Township 

ings acquire Rye Town Park; counsel in taxpayer's 
action against P. B. Gay nor and Port Chester 
Village; counsel P. C. Street Rwy. Co., Larchmont 
Horse Rwy. Co., N. Y. and Stamford Rwy. Co., 
securing franchises and charters; counsel commis- 
sioners drainage Saw Mill River valley; successfully 
defended number murder cases. Nominated 1892 
Republican Candidate Dist. Atty. Westchester Co. 
Member Westchester Co. Bar Assn., Assn. Bar City 
N. Y., and Apawamis, Republican, and American 
Yacht Clubs. Republican. Episcopalian. Resi- 
dent town of Rye since 1875. Office 103 West- 
chester Av., Port Chester; residence Apawamis Av., 
Rye. 



194 



Jarvis Woolverton Mason 

Born N. Y. City, Aug. 12, 1863, son of Jarvis R. 
and Mary W. (Cotner) Mason. Attended City 
College City N. Y. ; graduated N. Y. University Law 
School, LL.B., 1884; C. P. A. from University State 
of N. Y., 1 90 1. Took Bar examination and admitted 
N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, Jan., 1884; admitted U. S. 
Supreme Court, U. S. Court of Claims, U. S. Dist. 
and Circuit Courts, S. D. N. Y. Copartner Jerome Ac 
Peck (Peck & Mason), Port Chester, N. Y., and N. Y. 
City, 1887-1889; copartner John H. Clapp (Clapp 
& Mason), Port Chester and N. Y. City, 1 889-1 892; 
with American Surety Company of N. Y., since 
1892. Married, Dec. 16, 1890, CaroHne Matthews 
of Walden, N. Y., daughter of Henry and Mary 
Eunice Matthews. Two daughters and one son. 
Vice-president American Surety Co., of N. Y. Cap- 
tain, Reserve List, N. G. N. Y. Member Bar Assn. 
City N. Y., Westchester Co. Bar Assn., Masonic 
Order, and Republican and Siwanoy Country Clubs. 
Republican. Office, 100 Broadway, N. Y. City; 
residence, Mount Vernon, N. Y. 



195 



Jerome Alvord Peck 

Born Pecksland, Greenwich, Conn., Mar. 24, 1863, 
son of Cephas Peck, born Greenwich, Jan. 3, 1830, 
died Port Chester, N. Y., Apr. 14, 1895, and Jose- 
phine (Ferris) Peck, born Greenwich, Dec. 28, 1836; 
descendant of WiUiam Peck who settled in New 
Haven Colony, 1637. Attended Port Chester Pubhc 
Schools, 1870-77; Starr's Institute, Port Chester, 
1877-79; graduated N. Y. University Law School, 
LL.B., 1883. Took Bar examination Poughkeepsie, 
1884; admitted N. Y. Bar, Poughkeepsie, May 16, 
1884; U. S. Dist. and Circuit Courts, S. D. N. Y.; 
Circuit Court Kentucky, 191 1. With Clapp & 
Ropes, Port Chester, 1880-83; J. H. Clapp 1880-81; 
copartner Jarvis W. Mason (Peck & Mason), 
Port Chester, 1887-89; copartner Arthur R. Wilcox 
(Peck & Wilcox), Port Chester and N. Y. City, 
Jan. I, 1901-May I, 1908; copartner Frederick G. 
Schmidt (Peck & Schmidt), Port Chester, 1912-14; 
copartner Frederick G. Schmidt and Roy L. Burns 
(Peck, Schmidt & Burns) , Port Chester, since August 
1914. Married, N. Y. City, Apr. li, 1900, Agnes 
Wolfe of Port Chester, daughter of John W. and 
Jane (Cheshire) Wolfe. No children. Village Clerk 
Port Chester, 1893- 1903; corporation counsel Port 
196 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Chester village 1905-08; president Westchester 
County Bar Association, 1912-14; director Lawyers 
Westchester Title & Mortgage Co.; incorporator and 
director since 1901 Mutual Trust Company West- 
chester County; chairman trustees Supreme Court 
Library, White Plains, since 1914; chairman board 
fire commissioners Mahopac Fire Dept. Member 
N. Y. State Bar Assn., Westchester County Bar 
Assn., Masonic order. Sons of Veterans, Harry 
Howard Hook and Ladder Co. (honorary), and Union 
League, N. Y. Athletic, Apawamis, and Mahopac 
Country Clubs. Republican. CongregationaUst. 
Resident town of Rye 1863-1910. Offices 14 S. Main 
St., Port Chester, and 45 Broadway, N. Y. City; 
residence Lake Mahopac, N. Y. 



197 



John Purdon 

Born Hong Kong, China, Aug. i6, 1862, son of 
James Purdon, Philadelphia, and Lydia (Nye) Pur- 
don, Acushnet, Mass.; grandson of John Purdon, 
Philadelphia, compiler of Purdon's Digest of the 
Laws of Pennsylvania. Attended John MacMul- 
len's School, N. Y. City; Columbia University; 
graduated Columbia University Law School, LL.B., 
1883. Took Bar examination N. Y. City, 1884; 
admitted N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, 1884. Married, 
first, Frances Nelson Bogert O'Brien (widow), of 
Providence, R. I., who died May 23, 1904. Adopted 
her daughter, Frances Hope O'Brien, now wife 
of Sheldon Leavitt, Jr., Augusta, Ga. Married, 
secondly, Marcia Latham Richardson, of Lexington, 
Ky. One child, John, Jr., born Jan. 6, 1908. For- 
mer vestryman St. Mark's Church, N. Y. City. 
Member Assn. Bar City N. Y., Columbia University 
Club. Republican. Episcopalian. Resident town 
of Rye 1898-99. Office 15 Wall St., N. Y. City; 
residence Palisade, N. J. 



198 



George Henry Barnes 

Born Brooklyn, N. Y., June 4, i86i,son of Charles 
C. Barnes, born N. Y. City, 1824, died 1903, and 
Juliet Jane (Armour) Barnes, born N. Y. City, 1828. 
Attended Polytechnic Institute, Brooklyn; gradu- 
ated Columbia University, A.B., 1883; graduated 
Columbia University Law School, LL.B., 1885. 
Took Bar examination and admitted N. Y. Bar, 
Poughkeepsie, 1885. Married, N. Y. City, 1889, 
Mary E. Brosnan of N. Y. City, daughter of Timo- 
thy L. and Mary (Wells) Brosnan. One child, Mary 
Wells, born Dec. 25, 1901. Member Columbia 
University, Bankers, Apawamis, Blind Brook, and 
American Yacht Clubs. Protestant. Resident town 
of Rye since 1905. Office 120 Broadway, N. Y. City ; 
residence Library Lane, Rye. 



199 



Justus Albert Boies Cowles 

Born N. Y. City, Feb. 17, 1862, son of Edward 
Pitkins Cowles, former Justice N. Y. Supreme 
Court, and Sarah Ely (Boies) Cowles ; descendant of 
John Cowles who emigrated from England in 1635, 
and settled at Farmington, Conn.; descendant on 
maternal side of Ely family, early settlers at Long 
Meadow, Mass., and Boies family which was estab- 
lished in Blanford, Mass., in first half 17th century. 
Graduated Park Institute, Rye, 1879; graduated 
Columbia University, A.B., 1883; graduated Colum- 
bia University Law School, LL.B., 1885. Took Bar 
examination, Poughkeepsie, June, 1885; admitted N. 
Y. Bar, Brooklyn, 1885, U. S. Circuit and Dist. 
Courts, S. D. N. Y., 1885. Began practice 1885, 
Port Chester, N. Y., continued to 1887; member firm 
E. B. & C. P. Cowles, 33 Wall St., N. Y. City, 1887- 
191 1, and then retired, entering paper manufacturing 
business, being elected president W. H. Parsons & 
Co. Pres. Rye Village 1907-08-09. Member 
Union League, Columbia University, Psi Upsilon, 
Apawamis, American Yacht, Laurentian (Mon- 
treal), and Cumberland (Portland, Me.), Clubs, 
Columbia Alumni Assn. Pres. and director W. H. 
Parsons & Co., pres. and director Pejepscot Paper 
200 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Co pres. and director Sajadahoc Towing Co. 
Unmarried. Republican. Presbyterian. Resident 
town of Rye since May 1 870. Office 1 1 1 Broadway, 
N. Y. City; residence Milton Rd., Rye. 



201 



h 



William Samuel Johnson 

Born Ellicottville, N. Y., Dec. i, 1859, son of 
Samuel William and Frances Ann (Sanderson) 
Johnson. Graduated Columbia University Law 
School, LL.B. cum laude, 1884. Admitted N. Y. 
Bar, 1885; clerk U. S. Attorney's office, 1886-87; 
practiced Westchester County and N. Y. City, 
1887-1905. Married, June 19, 1894, Carrie R. 
Gately Beers, of Mamaroneck, N. Y., daughter of 
D. C. and Olive F. Gately. Author of Glamourie, 
191 1 ; Nothing Else Matters, 1913; Prayer for Peace, 
and Other Poems, 1915; The Eagle and Biittadeus, 
Member Association Bar City N. Y., Westchester 
County Bar Association, and Cercle Philidor (Paris), 
and American Yacht, Orienta Yacht, Manhattan 
Chess, and City Clubs. Resided at Paris, France, 
1905-10. Resident town of Rye since 1869. Resi- 
dence 205 E. Boston Post Rd., Mamaroneck, N. Y. 



202 



k 



Francis Effingham Laimbeer 

Graduated Columbia University, A.B., 1883; A.M. 
^84; graduated Columbia University Law School, 
L.B., 1885. Admitted N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, May, 
585. Member Assembly, 1896-98. Former resi- 
st town of Rye. Office Woolworth Bldg., N. Y. 
ity. 



203 



( 



Stuart William Cowan 

Born N. Y. City, Mar. 24, i860, son of William and 
Jane (English) Cowan, Scotch-Irish descent. At- 
tended Parker Academy, Woodbury, Conn. ; gradu- 
ated Columbia University Law School, LL.B., 1885. 
Took Bar examination, Litchfield, Conn., Dec. i, 
1885; admitted Conn. Bar, Litchfield, Dec. 5, 1885; 
N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, 1 886. Practiced N. Y. City and 
Mt. Vernon, N. Y., 1 886-1903. Married, Waverly, 
N. Y., Dec. 28, 1887, Anna E. DuBois, of Waverly, 
daughter of Joseph and Euphemia (Gray) DuBois. 
Children: Euphemia Gray, born Mar. 31, 1890; 
Stuart DuBois, born Dec. 12, 1892; Arthur Joseph, 
born June 2, 1900. School Commissioner Mt. Vernon 
four years. Member Litchfield Bar Association. 
Democrat. Protestant. Resident town of Rye 
summers 1904-5-6. Office Greenwood Union Ceme- 
tery, Rye; residence Harrison Av., Harrison, N. Y. 



204 



Jonathan Mayhew Wainwright 

Born N. Y. City, Dec. lo, 1864, son of John How- 
ard and Margaret Livingston (Stuyvesant) Wain- 
wright. Attended private schools, N. Y. City and 
abroad; graduated Columbia University, A.B., 1884; 
Ph.B. (School Politicial Science), 1884; A.M., causa 
honoris, 1908; graduated Columbia University Law 
School, LL.B., 1886. Took Bar examination, N. Y. 
City, 1886; admitted N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, 1886; 
U. S. Circuit and Dist. Courts, S. D. N. Y., 1886. 
Studied in office Dorsheimer, Bacon & Steele and U. 
S. Dist. Atty.; with Strong & Cadwalader, 1892- 
1900; member Barry, Wainwright, Thacher & Sym- 
mers, N. Y. City, since 1913. Married, N. Y. City, 
Nov. 22^, 1892, Laura Wallace Buchanan, of Balti- 
more, Md., daughter of James Buchanan, of Mary- 
land Bar, and Rosa (Parran) Buchanan. One 
child, Laura Fonrose, born Dec. 28, 1893. Assembly- 
man 2nd Dist. Westchester County, 1902-08; State 
Senator 24th Dist., Westchester County, 1909-12; 
Workmen's Compensation Commissioner, N. Y., 
1914-15; former chairman Assembly Education & 
Railroad Committees; former member Assembly & 
Senate Judiciary Committees; chairman Wainwright 
Commission 1909-10, on whose recommendation 
205 



The Bar of Rye Township 

first Workmen's Compensation Law was adopted in 
N. Y. State; sponsored legislation creating Rye 
Town Park and making Boston Post Road a State 
highway; Second Lieut. 12th Regt., N. G. N. Y., 
1889-91; Regtl. Adj. and Capt. 1891-1900; Lieut. 
Col. 1903-06; Capt. I2th Regt. N. Y. Vols, in war with 
Spain, 1898; served on Mexican border as personal 
representative of Governor N. Y. State, 1916; Lieut. 
Col. Inspector Genl. Dept., S. N. Y., 1916-17; 
appointed Division Inspector, Div. N. Y. N. G., 1917; 
called and drafted in U. S. service in war with 
Germany, 191 7, serving as Lieut. Col. Gen. Insp., 
27th Division, U. S. Army. Director, since 1901, 
and former President Rye National Bank; director 
Mutual Trust Co. of Westchester County (Port 
Chester) and Westchester Trust Co. (Yonkers); 
director, one of organizers and former President 
Westchester & Bronx Title & Mortgage Guaranty 
Co. (White Plains). Member and vestryman 
Christ's Church, Rye. Member Westchester County 
Bar Association, and Pres. thereof 1904-05, Assn. 
Bar City N. Y., Delta Psi Fraternity, Masonic 
and Elks Orders, and Union, University, City, 
Republican, Apawamis, American Yacht, Manurs- 
ing Island, and Green Meadow Clubs. Resident 
town of Rye since childhood. Republican. Episco- 
palian. Office 59 Wall St., N. Y. City; residence 
Forest Av., Rye. 



206 



David Boies Porter 

Born Northampton, Mass., Oct. 4, i860, son of 
William Augustus Porter, born Catskill, N. Y., and 
Abigail Louise (Boies) Porter, born Blanford, Conn. 
Graduated Colimibia University, Ph.B., 1883. Ad- 
mitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, 1886. Resident town 
of Rye 1872-85. Residence 3740 East John St., 
Seattle, Wash. 



207 



George Gardiner Fry- 
Graduated Columbia University Law School, 

1885. Admitted N. Y. Bar, Poughkeepsie, May, 

1886. Then and since resident town of Rye. Cor- 
poration counsel Mamaroneck village, 1 898-1 900. 
Office 25 Broad St., N. Y. City; residence 14 Sophia 
St., Mamaroneck, N. Y. 



208 



Henry William Simpson 

Graduated Harvard University, A.B., 1885; 
admitted N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, June, 1887. Resi- 
dent town of Rye past several months. Office 160 
Broadway, N. Y. City; residence 321 S. Main St., 
Port Chester, N. Y. 



209 



Joseph Midaugh Main 

Graduated Columbia University Law School, 
LL.B., 1887; admitted N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, Dec, 
1888. Removed to Port Chester, N. Y., and erected 
house on corner of Westchester Avenue and Pro- 
spect Street, which he occupied several years. Re- 
moved to N. Y. City about 1907. Retired from 
practice. Former vestryman St. Peter's Church, 
Port Chester. Married. Episcopalian. Resident 
town of Rye about ten years. Residence 390 West 
End Av., N. Y. City. 



Schuyler Casemate Carlton 

Graduated Yale University, A.B., 1887; graduated 
Columbia University Law School, LL.B., 1890. 
Admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, Oct., 1889. Former 
resident town of Rye. Office 233 B'way, N. Y. City; 
residence 126 E. 19th St., N. Y. City. 



211 



Samuel Cochran Herriman 

Born Jersey City, N. J., Sept. 29, 1854, son of 
John and Susan C. (Johnstone) Herriman. Attended 
school N. Y. City until 1883; graduated Columbia 
University, A.B., 1887; attended Columbia Univer- 
sity Law School, 1889. Took Bar examination, 
Poughkeepsie, 1889; admitted N. Y. Bar, Pough- 
keepsie, 1889; U. S. Dist. Court, S. D. N. Y. Office 
with Worcester, Williams & Saxe, N. Y. City, since 
1903. Married, Rye, May 23, 1901, Alice Madeleine 
Ward (died Apr. 3, 191 8) of Rye, daughter of Dr. 
James H. and Mary Louise (Burton) Ward. No 
children. Member Bar Association City N. Y., and 
University, Columbia University, and Apawamis 
Clubs. Independent Democrat. Episcopalian. 
Resident town of Rye since 191 1. Office 30 Broad 
St., N. Y. City; residence Apawamis Av., Rye. 



212 



George Atwood Slater 

Born Greenwich, Conn., Sept. 2, 1867, son of At- 
wood Slater, born Port Chester, N. Y., Nov. 26, 1842, 
died Greenwich, Oct. 28, 1905, and Julia (Scott) 
Slater, born Greenwich, Oct. 17, 1843, died Greenwich, 
Feb. 23, 1904. Descendant of Thomas Stedwell, 
who emigrated from Sussex, England, 1642, and 
settled at Hastings, now Manursing Island, Rye, 
and of Abraham Slater, known as Slawter and 
Slaughter, who was in Rye town prior to 1730. 
Attended Greenwich Public School and Greenwich 
Academy; graduated Columbia University Law 
School, LL.B., 1890. Took Bar examination N. Y. 
City, 1889; admitted N. Y. Bar, 1889; Conn. Bar, 
Bridgeport, 1888. Studied in office Col. H. W. R. 
Hoyt, Greenwich, 1883-88; with Carter & Ledyard, 
1888-90. Office N. Y. City since 1891, Port Chester 
since 1900. Married, Port Chester, June 2, 1891, 
Eva Elizabeth Sours, of Port Chester, daughter of 
Charles H. and Camille (Lyon) Sours. No children. 
Counsel town of Rye, 1900-06; trustee Port Chester 
village, 1902-08; member Assembly, 1912; State 
Senator 24th dist. (includes all Westchester County), 
213 



The Bar of Rye Township 

1915-18. Formed Committee of One Hundred, 
Port Chester, which secured modern highways for 
that village; charter member first Board of Trade, 
Port Chester; advocated and secured establishment 
Rye Town Park, 1907, preparing and securing passage 
park bill and obtaining unprecedented land grant 
for park; Kensico Dam Commissioner; defeated 
grant designed to take part Port Chester harbor, and 
convinced land office commissioners that royal patent 
vested Rye township with lands under water; sup- 
ported Suffrage amendment, 1912; conceived and had 
passed first military training bill in U. S., 191 6; 
advocated and secured Normal School, Westchester 
County, 1 91 7; advocated bills changing and reducing 
tax exemption, 191 7; one of half-dozen leaders in 
19 1 7 and 191 8 Senates; member Senate Finance, 
Cities, Insurance, Internal Affairs, Codes, Reappor- 
tionment, Special Election Law, and War Commit- 
tees, 1917-18; chairman Joint Legislative Committee 
to consider Mohansic Hospital land question ; chair- 
man local War Committee on Food Supply ; creator 
Westchester Co. War Committee Public Safety, 1917; 
member Port Chester "4 Minute Men"; member 
Natl. Military Universal Training League; appointed 
to represent Regents N. Y. State University and State 
Education Dept. at session Natl. Security League, 
Chicago, 1918; prominently mentioned in press of 
State as Republican Candidate for Governor, 191 8. 
Director Abendroth Bros., Port Chester and N. Y. 
City. Member Westchester County Bar Assn., 
Republican Club, Masonic and Elks Orders. Re- 
214 



The Bar of Rye Township 

publican. Episcopalian. Resident town of Rye 
since 1891. Offices 176 Broadway, N. Y. City, and 
103 Westchester Av., Port Chester; residence 316 
Westchester Av., Port Chester. 



215 



Arthur Outram Sherman 

Born Fairfield, Conn., Aug. 20, 1864, 7th son of 
Edward Standish and Catherine Augusta (Town- 
send) Sherman; grandson of Roger Sherman, 2nd; 
great-grandson of Roger Sherman, prominent in 
Revolutionary times; mother the daughter of Dr. 
Solomon Davis Townsend, of Boston, noted physi- 
cian referred to by Dr. Holmes in Autocrat of the 
Breakfast Table. Attended Park Institute, Rye, 
1874-83; in business N. Y. City 1883-84; went West 
1884; rowed down Mississippi River 729 miles from 
St. Paul to St. Louis, alone in a small boat, 1885; 
began study of law while working in lumber camp 
Northern Michigan; in law office. Grand Rapids, 
Mich., three years; returned to N. Y.; entered 
Columbia Law School, in last class taught by late 
Prof. Dwight. Took Bar examination, Poughkeep- 
sie, 1891; admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, May 14, 
1891. Studied in office Henry D. Hotchkiss, now 
Supreme Court Justice. Office 40 Wall St., N. Y. 
City, since 1896. Married, Apr. 10, 1894! Janet 
Morrison Sheldon (died Mar. 12, 1913), of N. Y. 
City, daughter of Isaac Esleeck Sheldon,' publisher,* 
and Cora Elizabeth (Smith) Sheldon, daughter late 
E. Darwin Smith, Supreme Court Justice and Court 
216 



The Bar of Rye Township 

of Appeals Judge. Children: Outram Willett, born 
1895, Esleeck Sheldon, born 1897, Audrey Townsend. 
Counsel Rye village during incorporation and 1904- 
07, serving without compensation. Nominated for 
Assembly; nominated supervisor 1915. Delegate 
National Convention, Baltimore, which first nomi- 
nated President Wilson; delegate State Democratic 
Convention; Pres. Bd. Managers Mohansic State 
Hospital for Insane. Interested in historical re- 
search; has made addresses and published pamphlets 
on subjects relating to Rye, Westchester County, 
and U. S. Constitution. January 13, 1909, pre- 
sented by governing board of Rye, England, with 
engrossed resolutions, expressing thanks for his 
efforts in encouraging friendly relations between that 
community and local community, as result of writings 
on historical relations between the two. While in 
West engaged in literary work and wrote poem of 
welcome to the Army of the Cumberland, which held 
reunion in Grand Rapids, and commended on the 
occasion by Gen. Philip Sheridan. Author of 
Westchester County and the Town of Rye, 1909, and 
other works. Member and sec. Democratic Club 
Westchester County, and one of organizers thereof. 
Member Westchester County Bar Assn., Assn. Bar 
City N. Y., Westchester County Historical Soc, 
N. Y. Genealogical and Biographical Soc, and Apa- 
wamis, American Yacht, and Nat. Democratic Clubs. 
Widower. Democrat. Resident town of Rye since 
1874. Office 40 Wall St., N. Y. City; residences 
Eastcliff, Rye, and N. Y. City. 
217 



William Rand 

Born Chicago, 111., Jan. 8, 1866, son of William H. 
and Harriet Husted (Robinson) Rand. Attended 
private schools Switzeriand and Germany ; graduated 
Phillips Exeter Academy, 1884; Harvard University, 
A.B., 1888; Harvard Law School, LL.B., A.M., 1891. 
Took Bar examination, N. Y. City, 1892 ; admitted N. 
Y. Bar, N. Y. City, Oct. 1892; U. S. Dist. and Circuit 
Courts, S. D. N. Y., 1893. Practiced law N. Y. City 
since 1892; member Rand, Moffat & Webb, 1906-10; 
Jerome, Rand & Kresel, since 1910. Married, June 
15, 1892, Rosalie Crocket, daughter of Charles B. 
and Katharine Crocket, of Medford, Mass. Children : 
William, Jr., born 1895, Robert Crocket, born 1898. 
Overseer Harvard College 1908-13. Asst. corpora- 
tion counsel N. Y. City, 1894-96; asst. dist. atty. 
N. Y. County, 1902-06. Commissioned Major, 
Judge-Advocate, U. S. A., Dec, 191 7. Member Assn. 
Bar City N. Y.,N. Y. Co. Lawyers Assn., Soc. Med. 
Jurisprudence, Sons Revolution, and Harvard, Cen- 
tury, University, Downtown, Apawamis, and 
American Yacht Clubs. Democrat. Episcopalian. 
Resident town of Rye since 1902. Office 37 Wall 
St., N. Y. City; residences 116 E. 58th St., N. Y. City, 
and Rye, N. Y. 



218 



William Cowper Prime 

Born Yonkers, N. Y., Oct. 21, 1870, son of Ralph 
Earl and Annie Richards- Walcott Prime. Ancestry 
American, without exception, since 1637. Forebears 
emigrated from Flanders to England, thence to 
America. Graduated Princeton University, A.B., 
1890; A.M., 1892. Admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, 
Feb., 1893. With Alexander & Green, N. Y. City, 
1893-1912; member R. E. & A. J. Prime, Yonkers, 
since 1912. Married, Sept. 6, 1900, Charlotte Lovell. 
Three children. Resident town of Rye about seven 
years. Ofhce 27 Warburton Av., Yonkers; residence 
Yonkers. 



219 



James Shea 

Born Port Chester, N. Y., Oct. 28, 1869, son of 
James Shea, born New York City, 1830, died Port 
Chester, and Emma Shea, born Boston, Mass., Mar. 
18, 1845. Attended Public School, Port Chester; 
St. Francis Xavier College; graduated Columbia 
University Law School, LL.B., 1903. Took Bar 
examination, N. Y. City, Mar., 1893; admitted N. Y. 
Bar, N. Y. City, April, 1893, U. S. Dist. Court. S. & 
E. D. N. Y. Member Bowman & Shea. Married, 
N. Y. City, April, 1901, Caroline M. Hendricksen, of 
N. Y. City. Children: Marian A., born Jan. 23, 
1902, died May 13, 1913; Philip James, born April 
22, 1909. Republican. Resident town of Rye 
1 869-85. Office 416 Broadway, N. Y. City ; Residence 
N. Y. City. 



220 



DeWitt Harris Lyon 

Born Greenwich, Conn., Sept. i6, 1870, son of 
George W. Lyon, born Stamford, Conn., and Annie 
M. (Harris) Lyon, born Greenwich, died Green^ach, 
191 7; descendant of Thomas Lyon, who settled at 
Fairfield, Conn., 1654. Attended Public Schools, 
Greenwich, and Greenwich Academy. Took Bar 
examination, Poughkeepsie, May 11, 1893; admitted 
N. Y. Bar, Poughkeepsie, May 11, 1893; U. S. Dist. 
Court, S. D. N. Y., Mar. 31, 1896; U. S. Circuit 
Court, S. D. N. Y., July 11, 1902; U. S. Supreme 
Court, Apr. 7, 1913- With J. S. & F. H. Bosworth, 
1887-88, Gary & Whitridge, 1888-97. Own office 
Port Chester, N. Y., since 1897. Married, N. Y. 
City, Nov. 15, 1904, Elsie M. Flint, of Port Chester, 
daughter of Wilford E. and Minnie I. (Sniffen) Flint. 
No children. Member Board of Education, Dist. No. 
4, town of Rye, since 1912 ; treas. Westchester County 
Bar Assn., since 1916; director First Natl. Bk., 
Port Chester, since May, 1917; trustee P. C. Savings 
Bank since Dec, 1916; town counsel town of Rye 
1900-02; corporation counsel Port Chester village 
1913-14 and 1915-16; trustee Library and Reading 
Room, Port Chester. Member N. Y. State Bar 
Assn., Westchester County Bar Assn., Masonic and 
221 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Elks Orders, and White Plains Club. Democrat. 
Episcopalian. Resident town of Rye since 1897. 
Office 124 N. Main St., Port Chester; residence 19 
Elizabeth St., Port Chester. 



222 



spencer Percival Mead 

Born Greenwich, Conn., Mar. 23, 1863, son of 
Isaac H. and Mary E. (Mead) Mead. Removed to 
Port Chester N.Y. fall 1891. Began study of law 
in office Blair & Keeler, N.Y. City, 1890; graduated 
N.Y. Law School, LL.B., with honor, 1893; admitted 
N. Y. Bar, Poughkeepsie, June, 1893. Removed to 
N. Y. City fall 1895. Examiner, law dept., Lawyers 
Title & Trust Co. Member committee management 
West Side branch Y. M. C. A., Sons of Revolution, 
Soc. Colonial Wars, New England Soc. 32nd degree 
Mason. Author History and Genealogy of the Mead 
Family, 1901, and Ye Historie of Greenwich, Comu, 
191 1. Unmarried. RepubHcan. Episcopalian. Resi- 
dent town of Rye 1891-95- O^ce 160 Broadway, 
N. Y. City; residence 318 W. 45th St., N. Y. City. 



223 



Herbert Parsons 

Born N. Y. City, Oct. 28, 1869, son of John 
Edward and Mary D. (Mcllvaine) Parsons. At- 
tended Everson School, N. Y. City; St. Paul's School, 
Concord, N. H. ; graduated Yale University, A.B., 
1890; attended University of Berlin, Germany, 1890- 
91; Harvard University Law Scool, 1891-93; Metro- 
polis Law School, 1893-94. Took Bar examination, 
N. Y. City, 1894; admitted N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, 
July, 1894; U. S. Supreme Court, 1905. Member 
Parsons, Shepard & Ogden, 1895-1902; Parsons, 
Closson & Mcllvaine, since 1902. Married, Sept. I, 
1900, Elsie Worthington Clews, of N. Y. City, 
daughter of Henry and Lucy (Worthington) Clews. 
Children: Elsie, born Aug. 6, 1901; John E., 2nd, 
born Aug. 14, 1903, Herbert, Jr., born Oct. 20, 1909, 
Mcllvaine, born Aug. 31, 191 1. Alderman N. Y. 
City, 1900-03; member 59th, 6oth, and 6ist Con- 
gresses from 13th N. Y. Dist. ; member Natl. Conser- 
vation Commission ; Republican leader 25th Assembly 
Dist., 1903-05; President Republican County Com- 
mittee, N. Y. County, 1905-09; delegate Republican 
Natl, conventions 1908, 1912, 1916; member Republi- 
can Natl. Committee from N. Y. 1916; member of its 
Executive Committee and of Natl. Campaign Com- 
224 



The Bar of Rye Township 

mittee 1916; private and corporal 7th Regt. N. G. 
N. Y., 1895-98; Judge Advocate, ist Brigade, 1898- 
99; commissioned major, 191 7, now in Signal Corps 
Reserve, A. E. F., France; president Greenwich House 
Settlement, 1914-16; pres." Memorial Hospital for 
Treatment of Cancer and Allied Diseases, 1915-17; 
pres. bd. trustees Canton Christian College, China, 
1916; member bd. trustees Manhattan Eye, Ear, & 
Throat Hospital and Brick Presbyterian Church; 
vestryman Trinity Church, Lenox, Mass.; member 
Assn. Bar City N. Y., N. Y. State Bar Association, 
and Republican, Metropolitan, University, Union 
League, City, Apawamis, American Yacht, Lenox 
(Mass.), and Metropolitan (Washington, D. C.) 
Clubs, Republican. Presbyterian. Residence in 
town of Rye since 19 15. Office 52 William St., 
N. Y. City; residence 7 E. 76th St., N. Y. City. 



225 



Burton Charles Meighan 

Born Mamaroneck, N. Y., Mar. 25, 1871, son of 
Thomas J. Meighan, born N. Y. City, September 
22, 1842, and Phebe S. (Bryan) Meighan, born 
Shekomeko, N. Y., February 5, 1847. Graduated 
College City N. Y., Salutatory, 2nd honor man, 
B.S., 1890; graduated N. Y. University Law School, 
prize man, LL.B., 1894. Took Bar examination, 
N. Y. City, 1894; admitted N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, 
Nov. 16, 1894; U. S. Circuit and Dist. Courts, S. D. 
N. Y., 1902. Studied in office Sampter & Fleisch- 
man, N. Y. City; copartner Henry Necarsulmer 
(Meighan & Necarsulmer), Mamaroneck and N. Y. 
City, since 1894. Married, Sept. 21, 1899, Effie I. 
Hunter, of Mamaroneck, daughter of Jeremiah and 
Elizabeth (Herdt) Hunter. Children: Burton C, 
Jr., born 1900, Howard S., born 1906, T. Jefferson, 
born 1908, Hunter, born 1914. Trustee Mamaroneck 
village about 1901-04; corporation counsel Mamaro- 
neck village about 1 905-11; trustee and counsel 
Union Savings Bk. Westchester Co.; counsel First 
Nat. Bk., Mamaroneck; counsel and director Larch- 
mont Nat. Bk. ; counsel Mamaroneck Co-op. Svgs. 
& Loan Assn.; director and member exec. com. 
Lawyers Westchester Mtge. & Title Co.; director 
226 



The Bar of Rye Township 

and treas. Halcyon Park Co.; pres. and director Si- 
wanoy Realty Associates; pres. and director Meighan 
Land Co. ; pres. Broad Avenue Realty Co. ; chairman 
commission to condemn lands Kensico Reservoir; 
member character committee 2nd dept. 1916. Mem- 
ber N. Y. State Bar Assn., Westchester County Bar 
Assn., Assn. Bar City N. Y., Masonic Fraternity, 
Delta Kappa Epsilon and Phi Delta Phi Frater- 
nities, Phi Beta Kappa Soc, and Larchmont Yacht, 
Orienta Yacht, White Plains, and Republican Clubs. 
Republican. Methodist. Resident town of Rye 
about 1899-1903. Offices Mamaroneck, and 120 
Broadway, N. Y. City; residence 92 Prospect Av., 
Mamaroneck. 



227 



James Keith Symmers 

Born Columbia, S. C, Apr. 23, 1868, son of George 
Symmers, born Aberdeenshire, Scotland, 1832, died 
Columbia, S. C, 1882, and Jessie Bell (St. Clair- 
McKay) Symmers, born North Berwick, Scotland, 
1845, died Bronxville, N. Y., 1915. Attended private 
schools until 1884; graduated University South 
Carolina (A.B., LL.B.), 1888. Admitted South 
Carolina Bar 1889; New York Bar, N. Y. City, 1894; 
U. S. Supreme Court; Circuit Courts Appeals 1st, 
2nd, 4th, 5th Circuits. With Carpenter & Mosher, 
1892-94; Carpenter & Park, 1894-97; member 
Carpenter, Park & Symmers, N. Y. City, 1 897-1909; 
Wallace, Butler & Brown, N. Y. City, 1909-13; 
Barry, Wainwright, Thacher & Symmers, N. Y. City, 
since 1913. Married, University of Virginia, Sept. 
7, 1905, Agnes Louise Shuey, of Virginia, daughter of 
Theodore F. and Martha Summerfield (Mayes) 
Shuey. Children: James Keith, Jr., Isabella Win- 
ston, WilHam Garth. Counsel U. S. Bureau War 
Risk Insurance, London Salvage Assn., and other 
shipping and marine insurance interests here and 
abroad. Member American Bar Assn., N. Y. State 
Bar Assn., Assn. Bar City N. Y., International Law 
Assn., Maritime Law Assn. U. S., Sigma Alpha 
228 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Epsilon Fraternity, and South Carolina, University 
Athletic, Marine Insiirance, Apawamis, and American 
Yacht Clubs. Independent Democrat. Protestant. 
Resident town of Rye since April, 1917. Office 59 
Wall St., N. Y. City; residence Milton Point, Rye. 



229 



T. Ludlow Chrystie 

Born N. Y. City, Feb. 25, 1872, son of Dr. Thomas 
M. L. and Julia (Ross) Chrystie; great-great-grand- 
son Major James Chrystie, Scotchman, who came 
to America 1775 and served in Revolutionary Army 
1776-83. Attended Fifth Avenue School, 1880-88; 
graduated Columbia University, A.B., 1892; gradu- 
ated N. Y. Law School, LL.B., 1893. Took Bar 
examination, N. Y. City, 1894; admitted N. Y. Bar, 
N. Y. City, 1894. Clerkship Cary & Whitridge, 
1893-95; own office since December, 1895. Married, 
September 29, 1896, SalHe Hooper Morrow, of 
Nashville, Tenn., daughter of Dr. William and 
Elizabeth (Luttrell) Morrow. Children: EHzabeth 
Ludlow, born Jan. 6, 1898; Thomas Witter, born 
August 23, 1902; Frances Nicholson, born Dec. 7, 
1904. Author of Chrystie on Inheritance Taxation. 
Former Transfer Tax Appraiser, N. Y. County; 
former Asst. Atty. for N. Y. State Comptroller; 
Sec'y Committee on Police Problem, N. Y. City, 
1905-06. Member Amer. Bar Assn., N. Y. State Bar 
Assn., Assn. Bar City N. Y., N. Y. County Lawyers' 
Assn., Soc. Cincinnati, Soc. Colonial Wars, St. 
Nicholas Soc, Kane Lodge Masons; Phi Gamma 
Delta, University, Downtown, Columbia University, 
230 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Apawamis, Adirondack League, and Manursing 
Island Clubs. Democrat. Episcopalian. Resident 
town of Rye since October, 191 1. Office 19 Cedar 
St., N. Y. City; residence Manursing Way, Rye. 



231 



Harmon Sheldon Graves 

Born Cambridge, N. Y., Oct. 4, 1872, son of 
Gemont and Maria M. (Moulton) Graves; descend- 
ant Thomas Graves, of England, who came to 
America 1600; descendant on maternal side Cotton 
and Pennock families, of Mass., and Chase and 
Moulton families, of Ohio and Vermont. Chief 
Justice Chase second uncle. Graduated Trinity 
College, A.B., 1892, A.M., 1895; graduated Yale 
University Law School, LL.B., 1894. Took Bar 
examination, N. Y. City, 1895; admitted N. Y. Bar, 
N. Y. City, 1895; U. S. Circuit and Dist. Courts, 
S. D. N. Y., U. S. Supreme Court. With Coudert 
Brothers, 1895-1900; member Lester & Graves, 
1900-1905; Lester, Graves & Miles, 1905-1908; 
Graves & Miles, 1908-1915; Graves, Miles & Yaw- 
ger, since 19 15. Married, June 7, 1898, Elizabeth 
K. Hart, of Hartford, Conn., daughter of Artemus 
E. and Katharine (Litchfield) Hart. Children: 
Harmon Sheldon, Jr., born Mar. 25, 1899, John Hart, 
born Jan. 9, 1905. Corporation Counsel Rye Vill- 
age, 1908-09; Pres. Apawamis Club since 1914; 
vestryman Christ's Church, Rye, since 1909. Mem- 
ber Assn. Bar City N. Y., Westchester County Bar 
Assn., and University, Yale, Downtown, Apawamis, 
232 



The Bar of Rye Township 

American Yacht, Manursing Island, and Graduates 
(New Haven) Clubs. Republican. Episcopalian. 
Resident town of Rye since summer 1907. Office 
III Broadway, N. Y. City; residence Locust Av., 
Rye. 



233 



Howard E. White 

Son of Rev. Erskine N. White, former pastor Rye 
Presbyterian Church. Admitted N. Y. Bar, N. Y. 
City, June, 1897. Former trustee Rye village. Mem- 
ber and secretary Apawamis Club. Widower. Resi- 
dent town of Rye since childhood. Office 31 Nassau 
St., N. Y. City; residence Boston Rd., Rye, N. Y. 



234 



Louis Taylor 

Born Titusville, Penn., Jan. 5, 1873, son of Daniel 
Banks and Mary Irene (Baxter) Taylor. Gradu- 
ated Middlebury College, A.B., 1893; graduated 
N. Y. Law School, LL.B., 1896. Took Bar exami- 
nation, N. Y. City, June, 1897; admitted N. Y. Bar, 
Brooklyn, June, 1897. Office Mamaroneck since 
1897. Married, Mamaroneck, June 26, 1908, Mary 
Regina Donnelly, of Mamaroneck, daughter of John 
D. and Elizabeth Donnelly. One child, Robert 
Leslie, born Aug. 20, 191 6. Justice Peace Town 
of Rye since 19 14. Member Delta Kappa Epsilon 
Club. Republican. Resident town of Rye since 
1889. Office 33 E. Boston Post Rd., Mamaroneck, 
N. Y. ; residence 10 Henry Av., Mamaroneck. 



235 



William Van Rensselaer Erving 

Born N. Y. City, Nov. 15, 1871, son of John and 
Cornelia (Van Rensselaer) Erving. Paternal de- 
scendant of John Langdon, Gov. New Hampshire, 
member Continental Congress, and of William 
Shirley, Colonial Governor of Mass. Bay Colony. 
Maternal grandfather William P. Van Rensselaer, 
son of Stephen Van Rensselaer (died 1839) last pa- 
troon and owner Rensselaerwyck Manor, comprising 
about 700,000 acres now included in Albany, Rens- 
selaer, and Columbia Counties. Maternal grand- 
mother daughter of William Paterson, Gov. New 
Jersey, Justice U. S. Supreme Court. Related also 
to Bayard, Van Cortland, Livingston, and Rogers 
families of New York. Educated in private schools 
in New York. Studied law in offices Isaac Lawson, 
and Tracey, Cooper & Rathbone, Albany. Admitted 
N. Y. Bar, Albany, Mar. i, 1898; U. S. Dist. Court, 
N. D. N. Y., Oct. 3, 1899. Office in Albany since 
1899. Representative in Albany of Estate William 
P. Van Rensselaer. Municipal Civil Service Com- 
missioner, Albany, several years. Commissioner 
Public Safety, Albany, about 4 years. Appointed 
Miscellaneous Reporter N. Y. State by Gov. 
Whitman, Jan. 16, 191 7, took office Feb. i, 191 7. 
236 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Member Assn. Bar City N. Y., and Racquet and 
Tennis, Republican (N. Y.), Fort Orange (Albany), 
Albany Country, Wolfert's Roost Country, and 
other clubs. Unmarried. Republican. Member Rye 
Presbyterian Church. Resident town of Rye from 
about 1876 until taking up legal residence in Albany 
1895. Office 13 North Pearl St., Albany; residence 
268 State St., Albany. 



237 



William Dick Sporborg 

Born Albany, N. Y., Oct. 17, 1873, son of Joseph 
and Clara (Dick) Sporborg. Attended Public School 
Albany; graduated Albany High School 1892; gradu- 
ated Harvard University, A.B., 1895; graduated 
Columbia University Law School, LL.B., 1898. 
Took Bar examination, N. Y. City, 1898; admitted 
N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, 1898; U. S. Dist. and Circuit 
Courts, S. D. N. Y., 1899; U. S. Dist. Court, N. 
D. N. Y., 1916; U. S. Dist. Court, Maryland, 1917. 
With Parsons, Shepard & Ogden, 1898-1901; copart- 
ner Thomas F. J. Connolly (Sporborg & Connolly), 
Port Chester and N. Y. City, since Jan I, 19 16. 
Married, June 5, 1902, Constance Amberg, of Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio, daughter of Louis and Rose (Winkler) 
Amberg. Children: Elizabeth, born Apr. 4, 1904, 
William Dick, Jr., born June 11, 1909. Member 
Port Chester "4 Minute Men." Pohtics independ- 
ent. Jewish. Resident town of Rye since 1903. 
Offices 126 N. Main St., Port Chester, N. Y., and 
55 Liberty St., N. Y. City; residence Hawthorne 
Av., Port Chester. 



238 



William S. Gordon 

Admitted N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, November, 
1898. Office 2 Rector St., N. Y. City; residence 31 
Center St., Rye, N. Y. 



239 



James Allison Kelly- 
Admitted N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, March, 1899. 
Former resident town of Rye. Office 60 Wall St., 
N. Y. City; residence 1070 Madison Ave., N. Y. 
City. 



240 



Benjamin Irving Taylor 

Born N. Y. City, Dec. 21, 1877, son of Maurice H. 
Taylor, born N. Y. City, 1855, and Ella M. (Archer) 
Taylor, born Harrison, N. Y., 1854. Paternal 
grandfather, William H. Taylor, direct descendant of 
George Washington and of Judge Jeffreys of England 
and of Argyle family of Scotland. Paternal grand- 
mother, Mary (Haines) Taylor, direct descendant of 
Godfrey Haines, one of early settlers town of Rye, 
and of Alex. Hamilton and Hamilton family of Scot- 
land. Maternal grandfather, Benj. Archer, direct 
descendant of Ponce de Archer, head archer and one 
of chief advisers of William the Conqueror; Benj. 
Archer also descendant of John Archer, former owner 
of Fordham Manor. Maternal grandmother, Phoebe 
(Hopkins) Archer, descendant of Stephen Hopkins 
the Signer. Attended Public Schools Rye and New 
Rochelle; graduated Columbia University Law 
School, LL.B., 1899. Took Bar examination, Brook- 
lyn, 1899; admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, June, 1899; 
U. S. Dist. Court, S. D. N. Y., 1905; U. S. Supreme 
Court, 1913. Studied in offices of F. W. Sherman, 
Port Chester,' N.Y., 1 899-1 900, andE. A. Scott, N. Y. 
City, 1900-03; office Port Chester, 1903-12; copart- 
ner John L. Coward (Taylor & Coward), Port Ches- 
16 241 



The Bar of Rye Township 

ter, since 1912. Married, Rye, Apr. 27, 1907, Harriet 
Tyler Bulkley, of Rye, daughter of Josiah W. and 
Margaret (Tyler) Bulkley. Children : Estelle B. , born 
May I, 1908; Dorothy F., born Mar. 27, 1910; Benj. 
Irving, Jr., born Nov. 11, 191 1. Supervisor town 
of Harrison, 1905-12. Representative from 25th 
N. Y. Congressional Dist. to 63rd Congress. Mem- 
ber Port Chester "4 Minute Men"; member N. Y. 
State Bar Assn., N. Y. State Exempt Firemen's Assn., 
Harrison Fire Patrol, Rye Fire Dept. (former mem- 
ber), Aranac Athletic Assn., Westchester County 
Democratic, and Rye Beach Clubs; member Port 
Chester Lodge Elks and Exalted Ruler thereof 1909- 
10; member Foresters of America and Chief Ranger 
thereof 1904-05, and Deputy Grand Chief Ranger 
thereof 1905-06; member Masonic, Royal Arcanima, 
and Moose Orders. Democrat. Episcopalian. Resi- 
dent town of Rye, 1 892-1 906. Office 24 S. Main 
St., Port Chester; residence Sunnyside Av., Harrison, 
N.Y. 



242 



William Aloysius Walsh 

Born Yonkers, N. Y., Aug. i8, 1871, son of Michael 
and Margaret (Farrell) Walsh. Educated private 
schools of Sisters of Charity and Christian Brothers, 
Yonkers; University Notre Dame, Indiana; George- 
town University, LL.B., 1897. Took Bar examina- 
tion, Syracuse, 1899; admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, 
1899; U. S. Dist. Court, S. D. N. Y., 1906. With 
Fettretch, Silkman & Seybel, N. Y. City, 1897-98; 
member Conklin & Walsh, Port Chester, N. Y., 
1901; member Esser & Walsh, ;Mt. Vernon and 
Yonkers ; member Walsh, Wallin, Beckwith & Edie, 
Yonkers, since 1907. Married, Yonkers, Feb. 12, 1907, 
Harriette A. Walsh, who died April i, 1909. Married, 
Plattsburg,N. Y., July 23, 1913, Clara F., daughter of 
Samuel J. and Catherine Kingston. Children : William 
H., born May 10, 1914, Claire Kingston, born Mar. 5, 
1917. Assistant corporation counsel, Mt. Vernon, 
1898-1901 ; counsel late Sheriff Hartnett, Westchester 
County; City Judge, Yonkers, 191 7; corporation 
counsel, Yonkers, 1918. Member American Bar 
Assn., N. Y. State Bar Assn., Westchester County 
Bar Assn., Yonkers Bar Assn., Yonkers Chamber of 
Commerce, City Club (Yonkers), Georgetown 
Alumni, Notre Dame Alumni, Medico-Legal Soc. 

243 



The Bar of Rye Township 

(N. Y.), Notre Dame Monogram Club. Democrat. 
Roman Catholic. Resident town of Rye 1901. 
Office 2 Hudson St., Yonkers ; residence 51 Park Av., 
Yonkers. 



244 



Samuel Thorn, Jr. 

Born Saugatuck, Conn., June 29, 1874, son of 
Samuel and Phebe (Van Schwonhoven) Thorne, 
grandson of Jonathan and Lydia Ann (Course) 
Thorne. Graduated Cutler School, N. Y. City, 
1891 ; graduated Yale University, A.B., 1896; gradu- 
ated Harvard University Law School, LL.B., 1899. 
Took Bar examination, N. Y. City, 1899; admitted 
N. Y. Bar, Jan., 1900, U. S. Circuit and U. S. Dist- 
Courts. Deputy Asst. Dist. Atty. N. Y. County, 
1901-05; member Delafield, Howe, Thorne & Rogers, 
since Apr. i, 1916. Married, June 16, 1903, Ethel 
M. Cheney, of Boston, Mass., daughter of Arthur 
and Emeline (Lewis) Cheney. Children: Samuel, 
3rd, born May 28, 1904, Lewis, born Dec. 6, 1907, 
Ward, born Aug. 30, 1909, Emeline Lewis, born 
Mar. II, 1913, Arthur, born Jan. 16, 1915, Peter 
Brinckerhoff, born Oct. 2, 191 7. Director Silver 
Bay Assn., Leonia Englewood Estates, Parker Pro- 
cess Co. ; member Board Managers Missionary 
Education Movement; Executive Committee Lay- 
men's Missionary Movement; University, City, D. 
K. E., Yale, Republican, Apawamis, American Yacht, 
Manursing Island, Okeetee, Downtown and New 
York Farmers Clubs. Republican. Episcopalian. 
Resident town of Rye since 1906. Office 27 Cedar 
St., N. Y. City; residence 385 Post Road, Rye. 



245 



Albert William Putnam 

Born Spuyten Duyvil, N. Y. City, Sept. 22, 1877, 
son of Albert E. and Margaret E. (Morrison) Put- 
nam, grandson of Albert Putnam and of James 
Mitchell Morrison. Attended Halsey School, N. Y. 
City; graduated Columbia University, A.B., 1897; 
graduated Columbia University Law School, LL.B., 
1900. Took Bar examination, N. Y. City, 1900; 
admitted N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, 1900; U. S. Dist. and 
Circuit Courts, S. E. & N. Dists. N. Y., also N. J. 
With Curtis, Mallet-Prevost & Colt, 1900-02; Nadal 
& Carrere, 1902-03; Winthrop & Stimson, since 1903, 
and member thereof since 1906. Married, May 22,, 
1908, Grace Witherbee Tucker, daughter of Dr. 
Willis G. and May (Newman) Tucker, of Albany, 
N. Y. Children: Mary Elizabeth, born Mar. 5, 1909; 
Betty Waters, born May 28, 191 1; Nancy Tucker, 
born Nov. i, 1914. Nineteen years' service Troop 
B., Squadron A., N. Y. Cav., N. G.; three years as 
captain; six months' Mexican border service 1916, 
command of troop. In U. S. service since July 16, 
1917, now in command Co. A., 105th Machine Gun 
Battalion, 53d Brig., 27th Div., U. S. A. Member 
Assn. Bar City N. Y., Alpha Delta Phi, Phi Beta 
Kappa, Phi Delta Phi (legal) Fraternities, and 
246 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Squadron A., University, Apawamis, Underwriters, 
Adirondack League, Columbia University, Alpha 
Delta Phi, and Manursing Island Clubs. Republican. 
Presbyterian. Resident town of Rye 1907 and 1909. 
Office 32 Liberty St., N. Y. City; residence Highland 
Rd., Harrison, N. Y. 



247 



Arthur Russell Wilcox 

Born Port Chester, N. Y., Oct. 22, 1878, son of 
Josiah North Wilcox, born Riversville, Greenwich, 
Conn., Nov. 6, 1847, and Henrietta (Lyon) Wilcox, 
born Port Chester, Apr. 8, 1853. Descendant on 
paternal side of John Willcocks, a native of England, 
one of original proprietors of, and who settled in 
Hartford, about 1636. Descendant on maternal 
side of Thomas Lyon, of Yorkshire, England, who 
settled in Stamford about 1650. Paternal grand- 
father, Josiah Wilcox, born Middletown, Conn., 
May 9, 1804, died Riversville, Conn., June 13, 1883, 
who married, Aug. 24, 1828, Celestia (Wilcox) Wil- 
cox, born Sept. li, 1806, died Riversville, Mar. 28, 
1873. Maternal grandfather, William Penn Lyon, 
born Port Chester, May 22, 1825, died Port Chester, 
Aug. 19, 1899, who married Phebe Elizabeth (Sher- 
wood) Lyon, born Oct. 13, 1826, died Port Chester, 
Aug. 31, 1906. Attended Port Chester Public 
School until 1893; Hiram U. King's Private School, 
Stamford, Conn., 1894-97; N. Y. Preparatory School, 
1898; graduated N. Y. University Law School, LL.B., 
1900. Took Bar examination, Syracuse, Oct., 1900; 
admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, Nov. 20, 1900; U. S. 
Circuit Court, S. D. N. Y., Dec. i, 1900; U. S. Dist. 
248 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Court, S. D. N. Y., Feb. 3, 1910. Entered office 
Jerome A. Peck, Port Chester, and induced by 
him to take up profession of law, 1898; copartner 
Jerome A. Peck (Peck & Wilcox), Port Chester and 
N. Y. City, Jan. i, 1901-May i, 1908; own office 34 
Adee St., Port Chester, since May i, 1908. Justice 
Peace town of Rye, 1904-08; Police Justice Port 
Chester village 1908-10 ; counsel town of Rye 191 1-13 ; 
trustee Port Chester village 1912-14; corporation 
counsel Port Chester village 1 914-15, and 1916- 
18; counsel Rye Union Free School, Dist. No. 4, 
since 19 16. Elected president Port Chester village, 
Apr. 23, 1 91 8. President and director Abendroth 
Brothers, Port Chester>nd N. Y. City. Trustee Port 
Chester Savings Bank since June 19 14. Chairman 
Port Chester "4 Minute Men" (first such organi- 
zation in Westchester County). Compiler The 
Bar of Rye Township, 191 8. Member N. Y. State 
Bar Assn., Westchester County Bar Assn., Elks 
Order, Soc. Med. Jurisprudence, and Republican, 
White Plains, and Port Chester Country Clubs. 
Unmarried. Republican. Presbyterian. Resident 
town of Rye since birth. Office 34 Adee St., Port 
Chester; residence 46 Leicester St., Port Chester. 



249 



Frank Lawrence 

Son of Frank Richard and Eva Annette (Reed) 
Lawrence. Attended Harvard University, 1895-8; 
graduated N. Y. Law School, LL.B.,1899. Admitted 
N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, Feb. 1901. Former resident 
town of Rye. Office 60 Bway., N. Y. City. 



250 



William Allen Davidson 

Born Cooperstown, N. Y., Nov. 23, 1876, son of 
William Davidson, descendant Davidson clan, born 
Morebattle, Scotland, June 22, 1845, and Jennie 
(Feakins) Davidson, born Cherry Valley, N. Y., 
Aug. 27, 1846. Graduated Cooperstown High School, 
1897; graduated Albany Law School, 1901. Took 
Bar examination, Albany, 1901 ; admitted N. Y. Bar, 
Albany, Mar. 5, 1901 ; U. S. Dist. Court, N. D. N. Y., 
1902; U. S. Dist. Court, S. D. N. Y., 1914. Copart- 
ner Nathaniel P. Willis, then Surrogate of Otsego 
County (Willis & Davidson), Cooperstown, 1903-05. 
Own office Port Chester, N. Y., since 1905. Married, 
June 30, 1903, Mabel A. Sherwood, of Port Chester, 
daughter of John and Elizabeth (Lockhart) Sher- 
wood. One child, John W., born Mar. i, 1905. 
Member Port Chester Lodge Elks and Exalted Ruler 
thereof, 1912-13. Clerk Board of Supervisors Otsego 
County, 1900; clerk and treasurer Cooperstown vill- 
age, 1901-1902; Justice Peace, town of Rye, 1908-12; 
Corporation Counsel Port Chester village, 1911-13; 
County Attorney Westchester County since 191 5; 
member District Board, S. D. N. Y., created under 
selective service law (draft act), since 19 17. Republi- 
can. Presbyterian. Resident town of Rye since 
December, 1904. Office 103 Westchester Av., Port 
Chester; residence 99 Glen Av., Port Chester. 



251 



Grenville Temple Emmet 

Born New Rochelle, N. Y., Aug. 2, 1877, son of 
Richard Stockton and Catherine (Temple) Emmet, 
of New Rochelle. Attended St. Paul's School, 
Concord, N. H., 1888-1894; graduated Harvard 
University, A.B., 1898; graduated N. Y. Law School, 
LL.B., 1901. Took Bar examination, N. Y. City, 
May, 1901 ; admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, May 28, 
1901 ; U. S. Dist. Court, S. D. N. Y., 1912. Began 
practice office Maurice Dillon, Port Chester, N. Y., 
1 90 1, continued to 1903. Member Emmet & Parish, 
52 Wall St., N. Y. City, since 1912. Married, Sept. 
18, 1905, Pauline A. Ferguson, of St. Paul, Minn., 
daughter of Paul D. and Annie (Borup) Ferguson. 
Children: Pauline Anne Temple, born Oct. 29, 1906, 
Grenville Temple, Jr., born Mar. 31, 1909. Member 
Assn. Bar City N. Y., and Knickerbocker, Harvard, 
and University Clubs. Democrat. Episcopalian. 
Office 52 Wall St., N. Y. City; residence Katonah, 
N. Y. 



252 



William Baruch 

Born Rye, N. Y., June 7, 1880, son of Bernhard 
and Ricka (Levison) Baruch. Attended Rye Public 
School, New Rochelle High School; graduated N. Y. 
University Law School, LL.B., 1901. Took Bar 
examination, Brooklyn, June, 1901; admitted N. Y. 
Bar, Brooklyn, 1901, U. S. Supreme Court and U. S. 
Dist. Court, S. D. N. Y., Married, June 20, 1913, 
Hattie Kodziesen, of Brooklyn, daughter of Abraham 
and Augusta Kodziesen. Member Port Chester "4 
Minute Men." Member Elks and Masonic Orders, 
Sons of Veterans. Resident town of Rye since 
birth. Office 20 S. Main St., Port Chester, N. Y.; 
residence i Webster PL, Port Chester. 



253 



Sidney L. Josephthal 

Born N. Y. City, Dec. 27, 1878, son of Louis and 
Martha (Corn) Josephthal. Attended Columbia 
Grammar School, 1887-95; graduated Columbia Uni- 
versity, A.B., 1899; graduated Columbia University 
Law School, LL.B., 1901. Took Bar examination and 
admitted N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, 1901; U. S. Dist. 
Court, S. D. N. Y., 1904. With Parsons, Sheppard 
& Ogden, 1901-02; George D. Mumford, 1902-03; 
counsel Legal Aid Society, 1903-04. Married, Balti- 
more, Feb., 191 1, Marie Louise, daughter of Caleb D. 
and Lucy (Boisliniere) Cherbounier, of Baltimore, 
Md. Children: Sidney Dorsey, born Jan., 1913, 
Martha Louise, born Aug., 191 5. Member American 
Bar Assn., United Hunt and Racing Assn., Civil Ser- 
vice Reform Assn., N. Y. Press, Fauquier, Warrenton 
Country, Warrenton Hunt, Chester Valley Hunt, 
Bryn Mawr Polo, and Richmond Country Hunt 
Clubs. Democrat. Hebrew. Resident town of Rye 
1911-13. Residence, 49 W. 72nd St., N. Y. City. 



254 



Charles Minot Sheafe, Jr. 

Born Holden, Mo., Aug. 14, 1874, son of Charles 
M. Sheafe, born New Hampshire, 1843, and Anna 
(Jones) Sheafe, born Iowa, 1847. Attended Seattle 
High School; University of Washington, Seattle, 
1892-93; Leland Stanford, Jr., University, 1893-94; 
graduated Harvard University, A.B., 1898; gradu- 
ated Harvard University Law School, LL.B., 1901. 
Took Bar examination, N. Y. City, 1902; ad- 
mitted N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, Feb., 1902; U. S. 
Circuit and Dist. Courts, S. D. N. Y., 1905. In legal 
dept. (N. Y. State), N.Y.,N.H.&H.R.R. Co., since 
1905. Married, June 18, 1907, Mary S. Hoague, of 
Boston, daughter of Isaac Theodore and Carolyn 
(Daniell) Hoague. Children: Anna Carolyn, born 
Oct. 13, 1908; Charles M., 3rd, born Nov. 12, 
1910; Theodore, born June 17, 1914; Mary Amelia, 
born June 5, 1916. Chairman Rye Y. M. C. A. 
Board. On Harvard 'Varsity Crew 1889-1900. 
Chairman Local Board No. 6, created under selective 
service law (draft act), since 1917- Member Port 
Chester "4 Minute Men." Member Assn. Bar 
City N. Y., RepubHc Lodge Masons, Sons Amer- 
ican Revolution, and Harvard, Apawamis, and 
255 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Manursing Island Clubs. Republican. Episco- 
palian. Resident town of Rye since 1910. Office 
Grand Central Terminal, N. Y. City; residence 
51 Milton Rd., Rye. 



256 



Dunlevy Milbank 

Admitted N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, June, 1902. 
Resident town of Rye past several years. Office 
40 Wall St., N. Y. City; residences 27 E. 39th St., 
N. Y. City, and Ridge St., Rye, N. Y. 



257 



Eugene Lee Flandreau 

Born N. Y. City, Oct. 24, 1868, son of Theodore 
and Marietta (Onderdonk) Flandreau. Attended 
N. Y. Public Schools; graduated Cooper Union, B.S., 
1896; graduated N. Y. Law School, LL.B., 1900. 
Took Bar examination, N. Y. City, 1902; admitted 
N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, 1902. Clerkship with Wm. 
R. Hill, N. Y. City. Discontinued practice 1904, 
since in business. Married, Port Chester, N. Y., 
June II, 1896, Sadie Smith, of Port Chester, since 
deceased. No children. Corporal Company B, 
71st Regt. N. G. N. Y., 7K years. Democrat. 
Methodist. Resident town of Rye since 1896, ex- 
cepting two years. Residence 485 Westchester Av., 
Port Chester. 



258 



Charles Basil Brophy 

Born Ottawa, Can., Dec. 15, 1876, son of John 
Purcell, born Castle Comer, Kilkenny, Ireland, 
and Mary Therese (Kelly) Brophy, of Ottawa. At- 
tended private schools; Ottawa College, 1890-93; 
in Canadian Civil Service until 1897; moved to 
Buffalo 1897. Took Bar examination Rochester, 
Jan. 1903; admitted N. Y. Bar, Rochester, Mar. 
1903; U. S. Circuit and Dist. Courts, S. D. N. Y., 
1905; U. S. Supreme Court, 1913. With Rogers, 
Locke & Milburn, Buffalo, 1898-1903; Howard 
Taylor, N. Y. City, 1903-11; copartner Taylor, 
Jackson & Brophy, 1911-16; copartner Taylor, 
Jackson, Brophy & Nash, since May i, 1916. Mar- 
ried, Sept. 2, 1905, Margaret AHda Bingay, of Yar- 
mouth, N. S., daughter of George Bingay, K. C, and 
Susan C. (Stryker) Bingay. Children: Geraldine 
Frances, born June 17, 1909, Katherine Livingston, 
born Dec. 2, 1910, Margaret, born May 10, 1916. 
Member American Bar Assn., N. Y. State Bar 
Assn., Assn. Bar City N. Y., and Lawyers, Catholic, 
Democratic, American Yacht, Apawamis, and Green 
Meadow Country Clubs. Democrat. Roman Cath- 
olic. Resident town of Rye since 1914. Office 30 
Pine St., N. Y. City; residence Mendota Av., Rye. 



259 



Arthur Michael Augustine Kane 

Born Rye, N. Y., Apr. 19, 1880, son of John C. 
and Kate (Molloy) Kane. Attended Mamaroneck 
Schools; graduated Mamaroneck High School, 1897; 
graduated Fordham University, A.B., cum laude, 
1901; graduated N. Y. Law School, LL.B., 1903. 
Took Bar examination, Brooklyn, 1903; admitted 
N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, May, 1903. Own office Mama- 
roneck, N. Y., since 1903. Married, Oct. 25, 1905, 
Gretta DuB. Valentine (died Apr. 26, 19 13), of New- 
ark, N. J., daughter of Theodore and Josephine (Du 
Bordeau) Valentine. No children. Married, Dec. 
20, 1917, Emma Jeannette Buckhout, of Mamaro- 
neck, daughter of Craig E. and Emma ^(Waters) 
Buckhout. Justice Peace town Mamaroneck, 1908- 
12. Member American Bar Assn., Westchester 
County Bar Assn., Mamaroneck High School Alumni, 
Fordham Alumni. Democrat. Roman Catholic. 
Resident town of Rye 1 880-8 1 . Offices 242 Mamaro- 
neck Av., Mamaroneck, and 50 E. 42nd St., N. Y. 
City; residence Villa Av., Riverdale Park, Mamaro- 
neck. 



260 



William Matheus Sullivan 

Born N. Y. City, June 26, 1881, son of Daniel 
Matheus and Genevieve (Spillard) Sullivan. Descen- 
dant of Gen. John Sullivan of Revolutionary fame. 
Attended Polytechnic Preparatory School ; graduated 
N. Y. University Law School, LL.B., 1902, LL.M., 
1903. Took Bar examination, Brooklyn, 1903; ad- 
mitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, 1903, and federal 
courts. Formerly in office Willard A. Mitchell, 
N. Y. City. Director of several corporations. Past 
Master Baltic Lodge, 284 F. & A. M. Member 
Delta Chi Fraternity and University, Apawamis, and 
American Yacht Clubs. Unmarried. Republican. 
Episcopalian. Resident town of Rye since 191 1. 
Office, 35 Nassau St., N. Y. City; residence, The 
Maples, Milton Point, Rye. 



261 



Walter Andrew Ferris 

Born Port Chester, N. Y., July i, 1882, son of 
Andrew Ferris, born Sound Beach, Conn., 1833, died 
Port Chester, 1907, and Mary Elizabeth (Stud well) 
Ferris, born 1855. Attended Port Chester Public 
Schools, 1 888-1 898; St. John's MiHtary Academy, 
Ossining, N. Y., 1898-1899; graduated Hudson 
River Military Academy, Nyack, N. Y., June, 1901; 
in law office Wilson Brown, Jr., White Plains, July 
1901-Dec. 1905; attended N. Y. Law School Sept. 
1902-June 1904. Took Bar examination, N. Y. City, 
1904; admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, June 24, 1904. 
Office in Port Chester Dec. 1905-Jan. i, 1914. Mar- 
ried, Port Chester, Oct. 11, 1906, Eva R. Parker, of 
Port Chester, daughter of Theodore C. and Sarah R. 
(Slater) Parker. One child, Theodore Parker, born 
Dec. 23, 1908. Justice Peace, town of Rye, 1908-12; 
Police Justice Port Chester village, 1912-14; Second 
Asst. Dist. Atty Westchester County since Jan. i, 
1914; President Port Chester village 1914-16. For- 
mer vestryman St. Peter's Church, Port Chester. 
Member Westchester County Bar Assn., Masonic 
order, and Transportation and White Plains Clubs. 
Republican. Episcopalian. Resident town of Rye 
since birth. Office County Court House, White 
Plains; residence 402 Irving Av., Port Chester. 
262 



Williamson Pell 

Admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, June, 1904. Then 
and since resident town of Rye. Retired from 
practice. Vice-President U. S. Trust Co., N. Y. 
City. Office 45 Wall St., N. Y. City; residence 
Highland Rd., Rye. 



263 



Charles Francis Dalton 

Born Waterbury, Conn., Feb. 13, 1877, son of 
Charles and Mary (Mahon) Dalton. Attended 
Waterbury High School, 1891-93; office assistant 
and afterward chief accountant and financial execu- 
tive Curran Department Store, Waterbury, 1894- 
1901 ; graduated Yale University Law School, LL.B., 
I903» completing course in two years. Took Bar 
examination, Hartford, Dec, 1902; admitted Conn. 
Bar by Superior Court, New Haven, Jan., 1903; 
N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, Nov. 15, 1904; Tennessee Bar, 
Knoxville, Sept., 1901 ; U. S. Dist, and Circuit Courts, 
Conn. 191 1 ; U. S. Dist. and Circuit Courts, S. D. 
N. Y., 1907. Office Greenwich Conn., 1903; office 
Port Chester, since Oct. 1903; copartner Daniel E. 
Kelly (Dalton & Kelly), Port Chester, 1907-08. 
Married, Aug., 1908, Mary L., daughter of Allen B. 
and Emma P. (Sniffen) Finch. No children. Presi- 
dent Yale Kent Club, 1902, and presented by class 
members with gavel; one of organizers Westchester 
County Yale Alumni Assn.; one of organizers and 
charter member and first non-commissioned officer 
Company L., 3rd Regt. Conn. N. G. (now 12th Co., 
Conn. Coast Artly.) ; vice-president Port Chester Rifle 
Club; former member San Salvadore Council No. i, 
264 



The Bar of Rye Township 

K. of C. ; member Eagles, Elks, Royal Arcanum, and 
Foresters orders; exalted ruler P. C. Lodge Elks, 
1908-09; past regent R. A.; deputy grand chief 
ranger F. of A; past sitting archon, I. O. H. Demo- 
crat. Roman Catholic. Resident town of Rye 
since 1903. Office 42 N. Main St., Port Chester; 
residence d"] Elmont Av., Port Chester. 



265 



Earle W. Webb 

Admitted N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, Nov., 1904. 
Former resident town of Rye. Office 51 Chambers 
St., N. Y. City. 



266 



Solomon Baruch 

Born Rye, N. Y., June 25, 1882, son of Bernhard 
and Ricka (Levison) Baruch. Attended Rye Pub- 
lic Schools, Port Chester and New Rochelle High 
Schools; graduated N. Y. University Law School, 
LL.B., June, 1904. Took Bar examination, N. Y. 
City, Oct., 1904; admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, 
February, 1905. With M. Walzer, lawyer, Brooklyn, 
1905-6; U. S. Title Guaranty Co.; copartner Ed- 
ward Baruch (Baruch & Baruch), Brooklyn, since 
1908. Mem^ber Brooklyn Federation Jewish Chari- 
ties, Young Folks' League Congregation Shan Zedek, 
Sons of Veterans, Royal Arcanum, Order Heptisophs. 
Unmarried. Politics independent. Hebrew. Resi- 
dent town of Rye 1 882-1 905. Office 699 Broadway, 
Brooklyn; residence 896 St. John's Place, Brooklyn. 



267 



Charles Edward Fleming 

Born Rye, N. Y., Oct. 4, 1878, son of Charles 
Guelph Fleming, born Bordentown, N. J., Oct. 30, 
1846, died Rye, Aug. I, 1917, and Annie Rebecca 
(Orr) Fleming, born N. Y. City, 1853, died Rye, Sept. 
17, 1897; grandson of Charles Edward Fleming, 
Lieutenant Commander, U. S. Nayy. Graduated 
Trinity School, N. Y. City, 1896; attended Colum- 
bia University, School Arts, 1896-97; graduated New 
York Law School, LL.B., June 15, 1905. Took 
Bar examination, N. Y. City, June, 1905; admitted 
N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, July 27, 1905; Supreme Court, 
Washington State, Feb. 14, 1916. Married, Port 
Chester, N. Y., May 14, 1914, Cora M. Kirby, of 
Port Chester, daughter of Robert and Fannie I. 
(MacBride) Kirby. No children. Member execu- 
tive committee Synod of Diocese of Calgary, Church 
of England, 1913-14, Phi Delta Theta (College) 
Fraternity, and Royal Arcanum and Odd Fellows 
Orders. Republican. Episcopalian. Resident town 
of Rye from birth to May 31, 1911. Office Rosalia, 
Washington; residence Rosalia, Washington. 



268 



Charles Wesley Stevens 

Born North Tarrytown, N. Y., Sept. 26, 1879, son 
of James F. Stevens, born Baltimore, Md., Sept. 24, 
1 85 1, and Elveretta (Conell) Stevens, born North 
Tarrytown, N. Y. Attended Port Chester Public 
School; graduated Port Chester High School, 1897; 
graduated N. Y. University Law School, LL.B., 1905. 
Took Bar examination, Brooklyn, 1905; admitted 
N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, July 27, 1905; U. S. Dist. 
Court, S. D. N. Y., 191 6. Served in Spanish War 
1898, with 14th Regiment, N. G. N. Y. ; with N. Y. C. 
& H. R.R. R. Co. , accountant, 1 898-1 905 ; with Ernest 
Simons Mfg. Co., 1905; with Westchester & Bronx 
T. & M. G. Co., 1906-09. Married, Dec. 24, 1904, 
Lillian Bedell, of Larchmont, N. Y., daughter of 
Carman and Catharine Bedell. Member official 
board Summerfield M. E. Church, Port Chester; 
superintendent Sunday School since 1906. Town 
Clerk, Rye, 1909-13. Member Masonic and Odd 
Fellows Orders, Newell Rising Camp, United 
Spanish War Veterans, Saunders Encampment, 
I. O. O. F. Republican. Methodist. Resident 
town of Rye since 1891. Office 11 1 Adee St., Port 
Chester, N. Y. ; residence 256 King St., Port Chester. 



269 



Edward Baruch 

Born Rye, N. Y., May 27, 1878, son of Bernhard 
and Ricka (Levison) Baruch. Attended Rye Pub- 
lic School; graduated N. Y. University Law School, 
LL.B., 1904. Admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, Nov., 
1905. Married, Sept. 8, 1912, Elsie Frank, of Brook- 
lyn. One child, Bernhard W., born July 9, 1913. 
Democratic candidate Assembly 191 2. Member 
Elks Order. Democrat. Resident town of Rye 
1878-1905. Office 699 Broadway, Brooklyn; resi- 
dence 988 St. John's PI., Brooklyn. 



270 



Robert Foster Janes 

Born Boston, Mass., Jan. 12, 1880, son of Benjamin 
F. and Anna Louise (Brown) Janes. Attended 
Boston and Cambridge Public Schools; Harvard 
University, A.B., 1902, LL.B. 1904. Admitted 
Mass. Bar 1904, N. Y. Bar 1905, U. S. Supreme 
Court 1910. Married, Oct. 17, 1908, Lucille Voorhis, 
daughter of Abraham Voorhis and Abbie Louise 
(Wolfe) Whiteman of town of Rye. Children: 
Louise Crosby, born Jan. 19, 191 1; Barbara, born 
Jan. 20, 1916. Member Assn. Bar City N. Y. and 
Harvard Club. Republican. Resident town of 
Rye summers 1909-15. Office 15 Dey St., N. Y. 
City; residence 521 W. 112th St., N. Y. City. 



271 



Daniel Edmund Kelly- 
Born Rye, N. Y., June 13, 1883, son of John and 
Ellen (Jordan) Kelly. Attended Rye Public Schools ; 
graduated College St. Francis Xavier, A.B., 1905; 
graduated N. Y. Law School, LL.B., 1907. Taught 
in New York Public Schools 1905-07. Took Bar 
examination October, 1907; admitted N. Y. Bar, 
Brooklyn, 1907. With L. H. Allen, N. Y. City, 
1905-06; with Charles F. Dalton, Port Chester, 
1907-09; own office Rye village, since 1910, being 
first lawyer with office therein. Married, Rye, 
Aug. 30, 191 6, Mary E. Bourne, of Rye. One 
child," Gwendolyn Frances, born June 16, 191 7. 
Secretary Westchester Co. Bar Assn., 1914-15. 
Corporation counsel Rye village, since 19 10. Mem- 
ber Port Chester "4 Minute Men"; member and 
past exalted ruler P. C. Lodge Elks; member Elks, 
Knights Columbus, and Foresters Orders, Rye Fire 
Dept., "Phil," St. Francis Xavier College, Delta 
Theta Phi. Democrat. Roman Catholic. Resident 
town of Rye since birth. Office Guerin Building, 
Rye; residence 116 Railroad Av., Rye. 



272 



John Lockhart Coward 

Born Port Chester, N. Y., Aug. 19, 1885, son of 
Robert Coward, born Stourpaine, Dorsetshire, Eng- 
land, Dec. 25, 1862, died Mamaroneck, N. Y., Feb. 
17 1906, and Ida M. (Lockhart) Coward, born 
Greenwich, Conn., Jan. 18, 1861. Attended Port 
Chester PubUc Schools; graduated N. Y. Law School, 
1907 Took Bar examination, N. Y. City, 1907; 
admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, Feb. 27, 1908. Own 
office Port Chester, 1908-12; copartner Benjamm I. 
Taylor (Taylor & Coward), Port Chester, since 1912. 
Acting Police Justice, Port Chester, Jan., 1914-May 
ic 1915 PoHce Justice, Port Chester, since May, 
I9i7 Member P. C. Lodge Elks and exalted ruler 
thereof 1915-16. Member Westchester County 
Bar Assn., Harry Howard Hook & Ladder Co. (Port 
Chester), White Plains, Port Chester Country, and 
Fairmount Tennis Clubs. Unmarried. Republican. 
EpiscopaHan. Resident town of Rye smce birth. 
Office 24 S. Main St., Port Chester; residence 255 
Willett Av., Port Chester. 



273 



Emory Roy Buckner 

Graduated University Nebraska, A.B., 1904; 
graduated Harvard University Law School, LL.B., 
1907. Admitted N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, May, 1908. 
Member Root, Clark, Buckner & Rowland, N. Y, 
City, since Feb. 15, 191 7. Former resident town of 
Rye. Office 31 Nassau St., N. Y. City. 



274 



Thomas C. Curtis, Jr. 

Admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, October, 1908. 
Office 44 Wall St., N. Y. City; residence 65 Grand- 
view Av., Rye, N, Y. 



275 



Roy Taylor 

Born Ramapo, N. Y., Mch. 8, 1876, eldest seven 
children of Frederick J. Taylor, born Brooklyn, N. Y., 
May 2, 1852, died Port Chester, N. Y., Jan. 3, 1912, 
and Alice (Murray) Taylor, born Southfield, N. Y., 
September 19, 1853. Paternal grandparents, Fred- 
erick W. Taylor, born Farneth, Eng., 1809, and 
Elizabeth Isherwood, born Middleton, Eng., 1812. 
Maternal grandparents, William Murray, born Cal- 
lander, Scotland, 18 10, and Mary A. Gannon, born 
Sloatsburg, N. Y., 1820. Attended public school, 
Ramapo, N. Y. , 1883-88 ; graduated public school, Port 
Chester, 1892; in railroad business at Port Chester, 
Bridgeport, and N. Y. City, 1892-1902; attended 
N. Y. University Schools of Medicine and Law, 
1902-08; LL.E., N. Y. University Law School, 1907. 
Took Bar examination, N. Y. City, 1908; admitted 
N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, Oct. 7, 1908. • Studied in office 
C. P. Latting, N. Y. City, 1906-09; with Westchester 
& Bronx T. & M. G. Co., 1909-11; with Lawyers 
Title Insurance & Trust Co., 1911-14. Of counsel 
Equitable Life Assurance Society since 19 14. Mar- 
ried, Dec. 17, 1903, Edna M. Sherwood, daughter 
of Gardiner W. and Harriett M. (Merritt) Sherwood, 
of Port Chester. No children. Member Masonic 
276 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Order, Brooksville Hose Co., and treasurer thereof 
191 5, Summerfield Church, Port Chester, holding 
numerous offices, therein, steward, 1895, and trustee, 
1910. Republican. Methodist. Resident town of 
Rye since Sept., 1888. Office 120 Broadway, N. Y. 
City; residence Horton Av., Port Chester. 



277 



Frederick George Schmidt 

Born East Port Chester, Conn., July 3, 1885, son 
of George Schmidt, born Germany, and Caroline 
C. (Greb) Schmidt, born East Port Chester. Gradu- 
ated New Lebanon (Conn.) School, 1900; graduated 
Greenwich (Conn.) High School, 1904; attended N. 
Y. University Law School, 1904-06. Took Bar 
examination, N. Y. City, 1908; admitted N. Y. Bar, 
Brooklyn, Nov. 24, 1908, Conn. Bar, Bridgeport, 
May 28, 1913. Entered law office Peck & Wilcox, 
Port Chester, N. Y.,1906; copartner Jerome A. Peck 
(Peck & Schmidt), 1912-14; copartner Jerome A. Peck 
and Roy L. Burns (Peck, Schmidt & Burns) since 
Aug., 1914. Married, Oct. 5, 1914, Frieda C. West- 
ermayr, of Port Chester, daughter of Robert J. and 
Caroline (Bruning) Westermayr. One child, Carolyn 
W., born Mar. 26, 191 6. Director Port Chester 
Y. M. C. A.; member Brotherhood St. Andrew; 
vestryman St. Peter's Church, Port Chester. Re- 
publican. Episcopalian. Resident town of Rye since 
1907. Office 14 South Main St., Port Chester; 
residence Lafayette Drive, Port Chester. 



278 



Silas Wilder Rowland 

Born Boston, Mass., May 15, 1879, son of Clark 
P. and Mary Bishop (Wilder) Rowland. Gradu- 
ated Harvard University, A.B., 1904; graduated 
Harvard University Law School, LL.B., 1907. 
Admitted N. Y. Bar, 1908. Married Dorothy, 
daughter of Henry M. Gerrans, of Buffalo, N. Y. 
Children: Mary, Silas W., Jr. Member Harvard 
and Apawamis Clubs. Resident town of Rye past 
several years. Office 31 Nassau St., N. Y. City; 
residence Grace Church St., Rye. 



279 



Augustin Derby- 
Born Boston, Mass., Feb. 2, 1882, son of Hasket 
Derby, born Boston, 1835, died Falmouth, Me., 
Aug., 1914, and Sarah (Mason) Derby, born Boston, 
1 846. Attended Noble & Greenough School, Boston ; 
graduated Harvard University, A.B., 1903; A.M., 
1904; graduated Harvard University Law School, 
LL.B., 1906. Admitted Mass. Bar, 1906; N. Y. 
Bar, 1908; U. S. Dist. Court, S. & E. Dists. N. Y. 
Married, Washington, D. C, Jan. 24, 191 1, Olga 
Blood Converse, of Washington, D. C, daughter of 
Charles Albert and Laury (Blood) Converse. One 
child, Olga Mason, born Oct. 29, 191 1. Member 
faculty N. Y. University Law School. Secretary U. 
S. Supreme Court Justice Holmes, 1906-07; Dep. 
Asst. Dist. Atty, N. Y. Co., 1907-10; special counsel 
Atty. Genl. N. Y., 1911-12. Member Harvard Club. 
Democrat. Roman Catholic. Resident town of 
Rye since Feb., 191 1. Office iii Broadway, N. Y. 
City; residence Loudon Wood, Rye. 



280 



Harry Martin Fisher 

Born Fort ElUott, Texas, May 13, 1881, son of 
Henry I. and Margaret (Deveny) Fisher. Gradu- 
ated Newport (N. Y.) High School 1899; graduated 
State Normal School, Geneseo, 1904; graduated 
State College for Teachers, Albany, B.S., 1916. 
Took Bar examination N. Y. City, 1909; admitted 
N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, Mar. 3, 1909. Never engaged 
in practice. Married, July 28, 1909, Grace Codner, 
of Owego, N. Y., daughter of Nelson and Emma J. 
(Hauver)' Codner. Children: CeHa Ida, born Sept. 
15, 1910, George Codner, born November 23, 1912. 
Member Masonic Order. PoHtics independent. 
Member Baptist Church, Newport, N. Y. Resident 
town of Rye since Oct. i, 1916. Residence, Haw- 
thorne Av., Port Chester, N. Y. 



281 



Philip W. Boardman 

Admitted N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, October, 1909. 
Office 120 Broadway, N. Y. City; residence Manurs- 
ing Island, Rye. 



282 



William Joseph Fallon 

Born N. Y. City, Jan. 23, 1886, son of Joseph 
Fallon born N. Y. City, and Ellen T. (Carty) Fallon. 
Graduated Fordham University, A.B., 1906; A.M., 
1907; graduated Fordham University Law School, 
LL.B., 1909. Admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, Oct. 
6, 1909. Married, June 3, 1912, Agnes R. Rafter, of 
N. Y. City. Children: Ruth, born Jan. 11, 1913; 
Barbara, born Oct. 6, 1916. Asst. Dist. Atty. 
Westchester County, 1914-17; corporation counsel 
Mamaroneck village; member Assembly since 1918. 
Republican. Roman Catholic. Resident town of 
Rye since 1894. Office Realty Bldg., White Plains; 
residence 36 Melbourne Av., Mamaroneck, N. Y. 



283 



Edgar Lincoln Howe 

Born N.Y. City, Apr. 15, 1887, son of Thomas A. 
and Margaret E. (McGrath) Howe, of N. Y. City. 
Attended Rye Neck High School, 1894-95; New 
York Law School, 1907-09. Took Bar examination 
N. Y. City, 1909; admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn. 
Oct., 1909; U. S. Dist Court, S. D. N. Y., 1913. 
Studied in office L. 0. Van Doren, N. Y. City. Office 
at 10 Elm St., Mamaroneck, N. Y., past several 
years. Married, October 20, 1915, Ida W. Kane, of 
Mamaroneck, daughter of John C. and Kate (Molloy) 
Kane. Village clerk, Mamaroneck, since April, 1913 ; 
Justice Peace, town of Rye, since Jan. i, 1918. Mem- 
ber Westchester County Bar Assn., Rye Neck 
Republican Club, Elks and Odd Fellows Orders, 
Rye Neck Dist. Internatl. Fed. Amer. Homing 
Pigeon Fanciers. Member executive committee 
and former secretary Republican Club, 1st Dist., 
town of Rye. Republican. Episcopalian. Resident 
town of Rye since 1894. Office 10 Elm St., Mamaro- 
neck; residence 67 Ward Av., Mamaroneck. 



284 



Robert Rudolph Rosan 

Born Bridgeport, Conn., Sept. 26, 1886, son of 
Maurice S. and Frances (Salzwasser) Rosan, of 
Bridgeport. Attended Bridgeport High School, 
1900-03; Cornell University, 1903-05; N. Y. Univer- 
sity, 1905-06; graduated Fordham University Law 
School, LL.B., 1909. Took Bar examination, N. Y. 
City, 1909. Admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, Oct. 6, 
1909; Conn. Bar, Bridgeport, May 23, 1913. With 
Einstein, Townsend & Guiterman, N. Y. City, 1906- 
09. Own office Port Chester, N. Y. , since May, 1910. 
Married, Nov. 9, 191 1, Nanchen C. Adams, of Bridge- 
port, daughter of Ernest C, and Minna (Ulmer) 
Adams. One child, Richard E., born Sept. 24, 1912. 
Justice Peace Fairfield County, Conn., since Jan. i, 
1917. Member Port Chester "4 Minute Men." 
Democrat. Office i N. Main St., Port Chester; 
residence 2']'] Greenwich Av., Greenwich, Conn. 



285 



Albert T. Maurice 

Born Athens, Pa., Feb. 6, 1885, son of Charles S. 
and Charlotte M. (Holbrooke) Maurice. Attended 
St. Luke's School, 1898-1902; graduated Princeton 
University, A.B., 1906; graduated Columbia Univer- 
sity Law School, LL.B., 1909. Took Bar examina- 
tion, N. Y. City, 1909; admitted N. Y. Bar, N. Y. 
City, 1909. With JoHne, Larkin & Rathbone, N. Y. 
City, 1909-15; copartner Leland B. Garretson 
(Garretson & Maurice), N. Y. City, since 1916. 
Married, Dec. 2, 191 1, Eleanor R. Fowler, of N. Y. 
City, daughter of Thomas P. and Isabelle D. (Dun- 
ning) Fowler. Children: Albert T., Jr., born Feb. 
16, 1913, Thomas F., born May 4, 1916. Member 
University, Princeton, Nassau, and Apawamis Clubs. 
Republican. Episcopalian. Resident town of Rye 
since 191 1. Office 35 Nassau St., N. Y. City; resi- 
dence Locust Av., Rye. 



286 



Charles Helme Strater 

Born Louisville, Ky. Jan. 19, 1884, son of Charles G. 
and Adeline (Helme) Strater. Graduated Princeton 
University, A.B., 1906; graduated Harvard Univer- 
sity Law School, LL.B., 1909. Admitted Kentucky 
Bar, Louisville, 1909. With Bullitt & Bullitt, Louis- 
ville, 1909-10; Bruce & Bullitt, Louisville, 191 1. 
Married, April 10, 1912, Alice B. Barnes, of Louisville. 
Children: Chas. Hekne, Jr., John Barnes, Carolyn. 
Resident town of Rye since October, 1914. Office 
40 Wall St., N.;Y. City ; residence Locust Av., Rye. 



287 



Thomas Francis Joseph Connolly- 
Born Port Chester, N. Y., Aug. i, 1885, son of 
Richard Connolly, born County Kilkenny, Ireland, 
died Port Chester, May 17, 1916, and Mary A. 
(Connolly) Connolly, born Port Chester. Attended 
St. Mary's Parochial School, Port Chester; St. 
Cecilia's Academy, N. Y. City; Port Chester Public 
Schools; Fordham Preparatory School; graduated 
Fordham University, A.B., 1907, A.M., 1916; gradu- 
ated Fordham University Law School, LL.B., 1910. 
Took Bar examination, N. Y. City, Jan., 1910; 
admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, iMar. 8, 19 10. Office 
Port Chester since 19 10; copartner William D. Spor- 
borg (Sporborg & Connolly), Port Chester and N. Y. 
City, since Jan. i, 1916. Village clerk. Port Chester, 
1909-10; Police Justice, Port Chester, 1910-12; Jus- 
tice Peace, town of Rye, 1912-16; trustee Port Chester 
village 19 1 5-18. Member Port Chester "4 Min- 
ute Men," and district chairman of Westchester 
County organization; member Westchester County 
Bar Assn., Reliance Engine & Hose Co., Port Ches- 
ter; Knights Columbus, Elks, Ancient Order Hiber- 
nians, Red Men, and Eagles Orders ; Fordham Alumni 
Assn., Loyal Assn., and Sarsfield, Catholic, and 
288 



The Bar of Rye Township 

White Plains Clubs. Unmarried. Democrat. Ro- 
man Catholic. Resident town of Rye since birth. 
Offices 126 N. Main St., Port Chester, and 55 Liberty 
St., N. Y. City; residence 341 Westchester Av., Port 
Chester. 



289 



Herman A. Schupp 

Born Port Chester, N. Y., Mar. 7, 1882, son of 
Joseph V. and Annie E. (Washburn) Schupp. At- 
tended Public School, Norwalk, Conn., 1888-91; 
Public School, Port Chester, 1891-98. Studied in 
office Maurice Dillon, Port Chester, 1898-1910. 
Took Bar examination, N. Y. City, 1909; admitted 
N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, Mar. 8, 1910. Began practice, 
Port Chester, 1910, and succeeded. Maurice Dillon, 
1913. Married, Aug. 26, 1912, Minnie Zipf, of 
Port Chester, daughter of Philip H. and Mary 
(Klages) Zipf. Two children: Herman A., Jr., born 
Aug. 30, 1913; Mildred W., born Dec. 15, 1917. 
Counsel Port Chester Savings Bank since 1913. 
Trustee Library and Reading Room, Port Chester. 
Resident town of Rye since 1905. Office First 
Natl. Bk. Bldg., Port Chester; residence 12 Elizabeth 
St., Port Chester. 



290 



Richard Carley Hunt 

Born Paris, France, Aug. 27, 1886, son of Richard 
Rowland and Pearl (Carley) Hunt; great-grand- 
father Jonathan Hunt, Lieut. Gov. of Vermont and 
in Congress in time of Daniel Webster, with whom he 
occupied house in Washington ; grandfather Richard 
Morris Hunt, eminent architect; several maternal 
relatives ministers of gospel; descendant John Havi- 
land who came over in Mayflower. Attended St. 
Paul's School, Garden City, 1 898-1 904; graduated 
Yale University Law School, LL.B. cum laude, 1908. 
Took Bar examination, N. Y. City, 1910; admitted 
N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, June, 1910. With Chad- 
bourne & Shores, N. Y. City, 1908-13; copartner 
Chadbourne, Hunt & Jaeckel since 1913. Married, 
Feb. 22, 191 1, Maria Elena Barron, of Rye, daughter 
of George D. and Mabel (Wilson) Barron. Children : 
Georgine Barron, born September 2, 1913; Richard 
Barron, born May 9, 191 7. Member Apawamis, 
Racquet and Tennis, Yale, Manursing Island, and 
Corbey Court Clubs. Republican. Presbyterian. 
Resident town of Rye since Feb., 191 1. Ofifice 32 
Liberty St., N. Y. City; residence Central Av., 
Rye. 



291 



Arthur Sumner Friend 

Graduated Harvard University, A.B., 1900; gradu- 
ated Harvard University Law School, LL.B., 1902. 
Admitted N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, October, 1910. 
Retired from practice. Treasurer Famous Players- 
Lasky Corporation. Office 485 Fifth Av., N. Y. 
City; residence Forest Av., Rye. 



292 



William Harvey Smith, Jr. 

Born Mamaroneck, N. Y., May i8, 1885, son of 
William Harvey, and Mary Alsop (Lockwood) 
Smith. Descendant maternal side of Ebenezer 
Lockwood, a first Judge Court of Common Pleas, 
Westchester County, member 2nd, 3rd, 4th Pro- 
vincial Congresses, member committee to select 
site and build second Westchester County Court 
House, White Plains, and Major 2nd West- 
chester County Militia. Descendant paternal side 
of Joseph Lockwood, Capt. Militia raised in Pound- 
ridge, commission issued September 13, 1775, who, 
while lieutenant, led reinforcements to assist Ethan 
Allen in capture Fort Ticonderoga. Graduated 
University Wisconsin, A.B., 1908; attended N. Y. 
Law School, 1908-10. Took Bar examination, N. 
Y. City, 1910; admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, Oct. 
4, 1910, U. S. Circuit and Dist. Courts, S. D. N. Y. 
Copartner William J. Fallon (Fallon & Smith), White 
Plains and Mamaroneck, 1 910-16; own office White 
Plains since 1916. Married, Aug. 12, 1914, Mabel E. 
Woods, of Larchmont, N. Y., daughter of WilHam 
John and Estelle (Benedict) Woods. No children. 
Member Apawamis Lodge Masons and Worshipful 
Master thereof, 1916-1917, Seventh Regt., N. G. 
293 



The Bar of Rye Township 

N. Y. (border service, 1916), Sons Revolution, Phi 
Delta Phi, Phi Kappa Psi. Major 153rd Depot 
Brigade, 5th Batallion, U. S. A. Republican. 
Episcopalian. Resident town of Rye since birth. 
Office 185 Main Street, White Plains; residence 58 
Stuart Av., Mamaroneck. 



294 



Everett Warner Bovard 

Born N. Y. City, Aug. 27, 1888, son of Melville 
Y. and M. J. Edna (Taylor) Bovard. Attended 
Port Chester High School, Syracuse University; 
graduated N. Y. University Law School, LL.B., 
1908. Took Bar examination, N. Y. City, 1910; 
admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, 1910; U. S. Dist. 
and Circuit Courts, S. D. N. Y., 191 1. With 
Martin W. Littleton, 1910-12; in law departments 
insurance companies since 1912. Married, Port 
Chester, N. Y., Oct. 27, 191 1, Cora Eloise Bums, of 
Port Chester, daughter of Andrew and Eloise (Peck) 
Burns. One child, Everett Warner, Jr.; born Nov. 
11,1916. Republican. Methodist. Resident town 
of Rye since 1903. Office 25 Liberty St., N. Y. City; 
residence 392 Irving Av., Port Chester. 



.295 



Philip Rogers Mallory 

Born Brooklyn, N. Y., Nov. ii, 1885, son of 
Henry R. and Cora (Pynchon) Mallory. Attended 
Hill School, Pottstown, Pa., 1901-04; graduated 
Yale University, A.B., 1908; attended Columbia 
University Law School, 1908-10. Took Bar exami- 
nation, N. Y. City, 1910; admitted N. Y. Bar, 1910. 
Never engaged in practice. Married, Dec. 3, 1910, 
Dorothea, daughter of George D. and Mabel (Wilson) 
Barron, of Rye. Children: Henry Rogers, II., 
bom May 9, 1912; Dorothea Barron, Jr., born June 
25, 1913- President and director P. R. Mallory & 
Co., Inc.; president and director Liberty Electric 
Corporation, Port Chester. N. Y. Member Yale, 
Twilight, Apawamis, American Yacht, and Manurs- 
ing Island Clubs. Republican. Presbyterian. Resi- 
dent town of Rye since 191 1. Offices 51 E. 42nd St., 
N. Y. City, and Port Chester; residence Forest Av., 
Rye. 



296 



Bruce Ellison 

Born 1884, son of William Bruce and May Alma 
(Jackson) Ellison. Admitted N. Y. Bar, N. Y. 
City, Jan., 1910. Former resident town of Rye. 
Office 251 W. 104th St., N. Y. City. 



297 



Douglas Johnston Miller 

Born Port Chester, N. Y., June 19, 1887, son of 
James Edward Miller, born N. Y. City, 1854, died 
Port Chester, Jan., 1892, and Martha (Johnston) 
Miller, born N. Y. City, May 25, 1856; paternal 
ancestors Scotch. Graduated Port Chester High 
School, 1904; graduated Cornell University Law 
School, LL.B., 1910. Took Bar examination, N. Y. 
City, 1 910; admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, March, 
191 1 ; U. S. Dist, and Circuit Courts, S. D. N. Y., 
1 91 5. Clerkship Maurice Dillon, lawyer, Port 
Chester, 1909; with F. V. Johnson, N. Y. City, 1910- 
II; with Amos H. Stephens, since 191 1; now man- 
aging atty. legal dept. Travelers Ins. Co., N. Y. City. 
Married, Oct. 17, 1912, Isabel Pond Cornwall, of 
Rye, daughter of George R. and Bessie (Pond) Corn- 
wall. Children: Douglas Johnston, Jr., born Dec. 
6, 1914; Cornwall, born May 17, 1917. Member 
Cornell Club, Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. RepubH- 
can. Episcopalian. Resident town of Rye since 
birth. Ofhce 30 E. 42nd St., N. Y. City; residence 
Larchmont Gardens, Larchmont, N. Y. 



298 



Moses Miller 

Born Kalwarya, Poland, on German Frontier, 
June 15, 1885, eighth child of Abraham and Jessie 
(Miller) Miller, of Kalwarya, and later of Posen, 
Germany. Attended Port Chester Public Schools, 
1897-98; Port Chester High School, 1898-1900; 
Theological Seminary of late Rev. Dr. Jacob Jacobs, 
N. Y. City, 1892-97; Philadelphia College of Phar- 
macy, 1901-02; Jefferson Medical College, Phila., 
1903-06; graduated N. Y. University Law School, 
LL.B . , June, 1 9 1 1 . Admitted to practice pharmacy, 
1905. Took Bar examination, N. Y. City, 191 1; 
admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, Mar. 8, 191 1; U. S. 
Dist. and Circuit Courts, S. D. N. Y., U. S. Circuit 
Court Appeals, 191 1, U. S. Supreme Court, 1915. 
With Benj. I. Taylor, Port Chester, N. Y., 1909-11. 
Own office Port Chester since Mar. 1,1912. DecHned 
appointment Acting Police Justice Port Chester, 
April 28, 1910; Justice Peace town Rye, 191 1 ; counsel 
town of Rye and town park commissioners since 1914. 
Member Port Chester "4 Minute Men. " Honorary 
member and director Port Chester Y. M. H. A.; 
member Westchester County Bar Assn., Jewish 
Publication Society of America, Natl. Geographic 
Soc, Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, Zeta Beta Tau 
299 



The Bar of Rye Township 

Club, P. C. Hebrew Independent Lodge, P. C. Lodge 
Independent Order Brith Abraham, Port Chester 
Y. M. C. A., Masonic, Elks and Foresters Orders, 
Congregation Kneses Israel. Unmarried. Republi- 
can. Resident town of Rye since 1890. Office 
103 Westchester Av., Port Chester; residence 66 
Traverse Av., Port Chester. 



300 



Raymond Gilleaudeau 

Graduated N. Y. University Law School, LL.B. 
1911. Admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, Oct., 1911. 
Member Phi Delta Phi Fraternity. Resident town 
of Rye past several years. Office 164 Montague St., 
Brooklyn; residence 336 E. Boston Post Rd., Ma- 
maroneck, N. Y. 



301 



William Mitchell Van Winkle 

Born N. Y. City, Dec. 5, 1885, son of Edgar Beach 
and Elizabeth (Mitchell) Van Winkle; paternal 
grandfather, Edgar S. Van Winkle, senior member 
Van Winkle, Candler & Jay, lawyers, N. Y. City; 
maternal grandfather, WilHam Mitchell, Justice N. 
Y. Supreme Court. Graduated Harvard Univer- 
sity, A.B., 1908; graduated N. Y. Law School, 1909. 
Took Bar examination N. Y. City, 191 1; admitted 
N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, October, 191 1. With Wood- 
ford, Bovee & Butcher, 1909-11 ; Krauthoff, Harmon 
& Mathewson, 191 1-13; member Mitchell & Mitchell 
(founded 1873), since 1913. Married, December 28, 
191 1, Mary Laird Busk, of N. Y. City, daughter of 
Frederick T. and Margaret K. Busk. Children: 
William Mitchell, Jr., born Jan. 17, 1913, Mary 
Laird, born Sept. 14, 19 14, Edgar Beach, 3rd, born 
Sept. I, 191 6. Member Apawamis, Union, and 
Harvard Clubs. Republican. Episcopalian. Resi- 
dent town of Rye since September, 191 5. Office 44 
Wall St., N. Y. City; residence Apawamis Av., Rye. 



302 



Louis Clemens August Lewin 

Born Port Chester, N. Y., Mar. 3, 1888; son of 
John J. Lewin, born Vienna, Austria, 1856, and 
Dorothea (Westphalen) Lewin, born Heide, Schles- 
wig-Holstein, Germany, 1861. Attended Port 
Chester Public School ; graduated Port Chester High 
School, 1905 ; graduated N. Y. University Law School, 
LL.B., 191 1. Took Bar examination, N. Y. City, 
1911; admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, Nov. 28, 1911. 
With Lawyers Title & Trust Company, White Plains, 
1906-07; Mount Vernon Trust Company, Mt. 
Vernon, 1907-09. With Walsh & Wright, lawyers, 
Greenwich, Conn., 1909-12. Own office Port 
Chester, since March, 1912. Married, Feb. 10, 
191 5, Emily Frances Martin, of Port Chester, 
daughter of Warren J. and Elizabeth (Merritt) 
Martin. One child, Warren John, born Jan. 18, 1916. 
Acting Police Justice Port Chester village, 1912-14; 
Police Justice Port Chester village 1914-15; Clerk 
Port Chester village May, 1916-May, 1918. Mem- 
ber Masonic, Knights Templar, and Elks Orders, 
Port Chester Y. M. C. A., Reliance Engine & Hose 
Company (Port Chester), Byram River Yacht Club, 
Deutsche Kranken und Sterbe Kasse, and St. Paul's 
German Lutheran Church. RepubHcan. Lutheran. 
Resident town of Rye since birth. Office 132 North 
Main St., Port Chester; residence Grace Church St., 
Port Chester. 

303 



Charles E. Casey 

Born Lee, Mass., Dec. 25, 1885, son of John H. 
Casey, born Middlefield, Mass., July 22, 1829, died 
Lee, Mass., Dec. 16, 1915, and Mary J. (O'Connell) 
Casey, born Lee, Mass., Sept. 12, 1851. Attended 
Williams College, 1902-05; graduated Fordham 
University, A.B., 1908; graduated Fordham Univer- 
sity Law School, LL.B., 191 1. Took Bar exami- 
nation, N. Y. City, Oct., 1911; admitted N. Y. Bar, 
N. Y. City, Jan., 1912; U. S. Supreme Court; U. S. 
Dist. Court, S. D. N. Y. With Rosenberg & Levis, 
N. Y. City, 1911-13. Own office since 1913. Mar- 
ried, N. Y. City, June 5, 1910, L. Belle Griffith, of 
Chicago, 111., daughter of F. E. and Sarah (Lore) 
Griffith. No children. Politics independent. Ro- 
man Catholic. Resident town of Rye since April, 
1916. Office 2 Rector St., N. Y. City; residence 
119 Barry Av., Mamaroneck, N. Y. 



304 



Albert Francis Jaeckel, 2d 

Graduated Williams College, A. B., 1907; gradu- 
ated Harvard University Law School, LL.B., 1910. 
Admitted N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, Jan., 1912. Resi- 
dent town of Rye past several years. Office 32 
Liberty St., N. Y. City; residence North St., Rye. 



305 



Raymond Edmund Hackett 

Born New Haven, Conn., Sept. 7, 1889, son of 
John and Margaret Hackett, of New Haven, Conn. 
Graduated New Haven High School 1908; graduated 
Yale University Law School, LL.B. , 191 1 . Took Bar 
examination, N. Y. City, 1912; admitted N. Y. Bar, 
N. Y. City, June, 1912; Conn. Bar, Hartford, Jan., 
1913. With Cummings & Lockwood, Stamford, 
Conn., since 1913; Asst. U. S. Atty. district of Conn. 
Unmarried. Democrat. Roman Catholic. Resi- 
dent town of Rye, 1911-13. Office Stamford Natl. 
Bk. Bldg., Stamford; residence 109 Bedford St., 
Stamford. 



306 



Samuel Wein 

Born Port Chester, N. Y., Apr. 14, 1891, son of 
Isaac and Fannie (Rogowsky) Wein, both born 
Russia. Attended Port Chester Public School; 
graduated Port Chester High School, 1908 ; graduated 
N. Y. University Law School, LL.B., 1911; LL.M., 
1912. Took Bar examination, N. Y. City, June, 
1912; admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn Sept., 1912. 
In mercantile business with father, Port Chester. 
Enlisted Dec. 15, 1917, Quartermaster's Corps Aero- 
nautical General Supplies. Member Elks Order, 
Y. M. H. A., and Y. M. C. A. Unmarried. Re- 
publican. Hebrew. Resident town of Rye since 
birth. Office and residence 21 N. Main St., Port 
Chester. 



307 



John Michael Holzworth 

Born Cleveland, O., May 28, 1887, son of Frederick 
E. and Ella (Degnon) Holzworth. Graduated 
Columbia University, A.B., 1910; graduated N. Y. 
University Law School, LL.B., 1912. Took Bar 
examination, N. Y. City, June, 1912 ; admitted N. Y. 
Bar, N. Y. City, Nov. 12, 1912; U. S. Dist. and 
Circuit Courts, S. D. N. Y., 1914. Member Dela- 
field, Howe, Thorne & Rogers, N. Y. City. Married, 
Jan. 17, 1914, Sarah B. Slater, of Port Chester, N. 
Y., daughter of Thomas A. and Adelaide M. (Purdy) 
Haight, of Greenwich, Conn. Children: Jean, born 
March 26, 1915; Elizabeth, born Aug. 25, 1916. 
Commissioned Capt., U. S. A., Jan. 23, 19 18. 
Member N. Y. State Bar Assn., and Lawyers, 
Columbia University, City, and Sleepy Hollow 
Country Clubs. Republican. Roman Catholic. 
Resident town of Rye since 1914. Office 2'] Cedar 
St., N. Y. City; residence 353 Westchester Av., 
Port Chester. 



308 



William Charles Young 

Born Port Chester, N. Y., Nov. 22, 1891, son of 
William G. Young, born N. Y. City, April 19, 1863, 
and Anna (Reich) Young, born Boston, April 15, 1865. 
Attended New Lebanon School, East Port Chester, 
Conn., 1 896-1 906; Port Chester High School, 1906- 
08; graduated Stamford (Conn.) High School, 1910; 
graduated N. Y. University Law School, LL.B., 
1912. Took Bar examination, N. Y. City, Jan., 1913; 
admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, Mch., 1913; Conn. 
Bar, New Haven, June 16, 19 14; U. S. Dist. Court, S. 
D. N. Y., Mch, 24, 1 91 6. In office WilHam A. David- 
son, lawyer. Port Chester, N. Y., 19 10-14. Cwn 
office Port Chester since Mch. 25, 19 14. Married 
July 17, 1914, Helen E. Haight of Stamford, Conn. 
One child, William Edgar. Member N. Y. State 
Bar Assn., Commercial Law League of America, 
Alumni Assn., N. Y. University Law School. Re- 
publican. Episcopalian. Office 125 North Main 
St., Port Chester; residence 136 Poningo St., Port 
Chester. 



309 



Roger Sherman 

Born Rye, N. Y., Sept. 24, 1888, son of Herbert 
A. and Anna (White) Sherman, direct descendant 
of Roger Sherman, signer and one of five drafters 
Declaration of Independence. Attended Cutler 
School, N. Y. City, 1899-1902; attended school 
Montreux, Switzerland, 1903-04; graduated Yale 
University, A.B., 1910; graduated Harvard Univer- 
sity Law School, LL.B., 1913. Admitted N. Y. Bar, 
Brooklyn, May 16, 1913; U. S. Dist. Court, S. D. N. 
Y.; U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit. 
With Taylor, Jackson & Brophy, 1911-16; Taylor 
Jackson, Brophy & Nash, 1916-17. Harvard 
Officers Training Camp three months, 191 7; Platts- 
burg Training Camp until Nov. 26, 191 7, and 
commissioned Second Lieut. Infantry; ordered to 
Camp Meade, Dec, 191 7; attached 315th Infantry; 
detached Jan. 19, 191 8, and ordered to New York; 
sailed for France Jan. 26, 191 8, unattached, for A. E. 
F. Won his first case and established precedent 
(i 74 A.D. 484) . Member Yale, Harvard, Apawamis, 
and American Yacht Clubs. Unmarried. Republi- 
can. Episcopalian. Resident town of Rye since 
birth. Office 30 Pine St., N. Y. City; residence Post 
Road, Rye. 



310 



Roy Livingston Burns 

Born Port Chester, N. Y., Oct. 15, 1887, son of 
Andrew Burns, born Greenwich, Conn., Sept. 6, 
1857, and Eloise (Peck) Burns, born Bridgeport, 
Conn., Sept. 23, 1859. Graduated Port Chester 
High School, 1906; graduated Wesleyan University, 
B.S., 1910; graduated N. Y. Law School, LL.B., 
1912. Took Bar examination, N. Y. City, 1913; 
admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, May 19, 1913. 
Entered law office Peck & Schmidt, Port Chester, 
1910; copartner Jerome A. Peck and Frederick G. 
Schmidt (Peck, Schmidt & Burns), since August, 
1914. Village Clerk Port Chester, 1914-15. Mem- 
ber Fairmount Tennis Club, Beta Theta Pi Frater- 
nity, Reliance Engine & Hose Co., (Port Chester). 
Entered U. S. service Oct. 8, 191 7, Co. E. 306th 
Infantry, U. S. A. Unmarried. Republican. Me- 
thodist. Resident town of Rye since birth. Office 
14 S. Main St., Port Chester; residence 27 Sound 
View St., Port Chester. 



311 



Harry Dewey Holden 

Born Mamaroneck, N. Y., Sept. 19, 1890, son of 
Charles C. Holden, born Telscombe, Suffolk, Eng- 
land, Nov. 21, 1849, and Mary (Phair) Holden, born 
New Haven Mills, Vt., May 13, 1850. Attended 
Rye Neck High School; Barnard School for Boys; 
graduated Amherst College, A.B., 1910; graduated 
Columbia University Law School, LL.B., 1913. 
Took Bar examination, N. Y. City, 1913; admitted 
N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, May, 1913; U. S. District 
Court, S. D. N. Y., 191 5. With Baylis & Sanborn, 
N. Y. City, 1912-13; Spencer, Ordway & Wierum, 
N. Y. City, 1914-15; ConkHn & Reid, N. Y. City, 
1915-17. Married, Oct. 9, 191 5, Madeline A. De 
Sylvia, of Rye, daughter of Carlos and Anna L. 
(Sullivan) De Sylvia. No children. Member West- 
chester County Bar Assn., Lawyers' Assn., Orienta 
Yacht Club. Republican. Methodist. Resident 
town of Rye since birth. Offices 31 Nassau St., N. Y. 
City, and 8 W. Boston Rd., Mamaroneck; residence 
Harold St., Mamaroneck. 



312 



Simon Goldae (formerly Goldowsky) 

Born Pemberwick, Conn., Sept. lo, 1889. At- 
tended Port Chester Public School; graduated Port 
Chester High School; graduated N. Y. University 
Law School, LL.B., 1913. Admitted N. Y. Bar, 
Brooklyn, June, 191 3. Resident town of Rye past 
several years. Office i Liberty Sq., Port Chester; 
residence 47 East Broadway, Port Chester. 



313 



William Henry O'Brien 

Born Port Chester, N. Y., April i8, 1892, son of 
Richard O'Brien, born Hillsdale, Columbia Co., 
N. Y., July 7, 1863, and Martha A. (Ryan) O'Brien, 
born Banksville, Westchester Co., N. Y., June 14, 
1862. Attended Port Chester Public Schools ; gradu- 
ated Port Chester High School, 1910, as an honor 
student ; graduated Fordham University Law School, 
LL.B., cum laude, 1913. Took Bar examination, 
N. Y. City, June, 1913; admitted N. Y. Bar, Brook- 
lyn, Oct. I, 1913. With Kellogg & Rose, N. Y. City, 
since Dec, 1913. Unmarried. Republican. Roman 
Catholic. Resident town of Rye since birth. Office 
115 Broadway, N. Y. City; residence 50 Washington 
St., Port Chester. 



314 



John Henry Zimmerman 

Born Richmond, Ind., May 30, 1882, son of 
Edward Allen and Margaret (Pogue) Zimmerman. 
Paternal grandmother Bertha Bragg Zimmerman, 
sister of Lieut. Gen. Bragg. Maternal grandmother 
Margaret McRae Pogue. Attended Richmond, 
(Ind.) Preparatory School, 1898; graduated John 
Marshall College of Law, Chicago, LL.B., June, 1912. 
Took Bar examination, Chicago, July, 1912 ; admitted 
Illinois Bar, Chicago, Oct., 1913, federal courts 
Illinois. Head of Western Legal Dept. London and 
Lancashire Indemnity Co., Chicago, 1913-16. 
Married first. May 2, 1903, Edythe Gipe, daughter 
of Charles H. and Jennie Condo Gipe. Married 
secondly, Chicago, Oct. 2, 1912, Mary Ann Meeker, 
of Aurora, 111., daughter of Cornelius Reide and 
Charlotte (Montony) Meeker. Children: John 
Condo, born July 15, 1909, Martha Lathrop, born 
Dec. 10, 19 1 5. Former Depy. Co. Treas., Rock Island 
Co., 111. Member Masonic Order and Delta Phi Law 
Fraternity. Resident town of Rye since Jan. 15, 
191 7. Office, 35 William St., N. Y. City; residence 
335 Ry^ Beach Av., Rye. 



315 



Arthur Andrew Fraser 

Admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, March, 19 14. 
Then resident at 341 Westchester Av., Port Chester, 
N. Y. Office 251 West 104th St., N. Y. City. 



316 



Antonio Joseph Marino 

Born N. Y. City, Apr. 4, 1887, son of Domenico 
Bochichio and Maria Luigia Larosa Marino, both 
born at Avigliano, Province of Basilcato, Italy. 
Graduated Port Chester High School, 1906; gradu- 
ated Cornell University, A.B., 1910; attended Har- 
vard Law School, 191 1; graduated Boston University 
Law School, LL.B., cum laude, 1914. Took Bar 
examination, N. Y. City, June, 1914; admitted N. Y. 
Bar, Brooklyn, Oct., 1914. With WilHam Baruch, 
lawyer. Port Chester, N. Y., Sept. 1914-March, 1916; 
with Lawyers Title & Trust Company, White Plains, 
since April, 1916. Married, October i, 1913, Cor- 
nelia May Conkey, of Cambridge, N. Y., daughter of 
Amos M. and Lovinia Ketchum (Snyder) Conkey. 
Children: John Conkey, born June 30, 1914, Donald 
Louis, born January 22, 19 16. First ItaHan gradu- 
ated from Port Chester High School. First ItaHan 
lawyer in town of Rye. Republican. Roman 
Catholic. Resident town of Rye since June, 1887. 
Office 160 Main St., White Plains; residence 212 
Seymour Rd., Port Chester. 



317 



William Remsen 

Graduated Cutler School, N. Y. City, 1906; gradu- 
ated Columbia University, 19 10; graduated Colum- 
bia University Law School, LL.B., 1914. Admitted 
N. Y. Bar, N. Y. City, October, 1914. Office 92 
William St., N. Y. City; residence Milton Point, 
Rye, N. Y. 



318 



Howard Gilbert Wilson 

Admitted N. Y. Bar, Saratoga Springs, Sept., 1915. 
Then resident of Rye. Office 233 Bway., N. Y. City. 



319 



William F. Tanner 

Admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, June, 1916. 
Maintained office 31 Purchase St., Rye, N. Y., during 
1917. 



320 



Jacob LafFer Mulwitz 

Born Port Chester, N. Y., Jan. i6, 1894, son of 
Samuel Mulwitz, born Russia, Apr. i, 1865, and 
Bessie (Laffer) Mulwitz, born Russia, Mar. 15, 1875. 
Attended Port Chester Public Schools; graduated 
Port Chester High School (valedictorian), 1909; 
graduated Columbia University, A.B., 1913; gradu- 
ated Columbia University Law School, LL.B., 191 5. 
Took Bar examination, N. Y. City, June, 1915; 
admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, Sept. 27, 1916. 
With Peck, Schmidt & Burns, Port Chester, since 
1 9 13. Secretary "The Dorms" (Columbia), 191 2- 
13; director Port Chester Y. M. H. A. Member 
Masonic and Foresters Orders, Y. M. H. A., Alumni 
Assn. Columbia Law School. Unmarried. PoHtics 
independent. Jewish. Resident town of Rye since 
birth. Office 35 S. Main St., Port Chester; residence 
89 Haseco Av., Port Chester. 



321 



Stewart Maurice 

Born Athens, Pa., June 29, 1891, son of Benjamin 
and Mary (Adams) Maurice. Graduated Mamaro- 
neck High School, 1908 ; graduated Columbia Univer- 
sity, A.B., 1913; graduated Columbia University 
Law School, LL.B., 1916. Admitted N. Y. Bar, 
Brooklyn, Dec. 6, 1916; U. S. Dist. Court, S. D. N. Y., 
Dec. 23, 1916. Managing clerk William F. S. Hart, 
N. Y. City, 1 916-17; in office Masten & Nichols, 
N. Y. City, since Nov. i, 1917. EnHsted U. S. Naval 
Reserve Force, Feb. 8, 191 8. Member Columbia 
University and Orienta Yacht Clubs, Phi Delta 
Theta Fraternity. Unmarried. Republican. Epis- 
copalian. Resident town of Rye since 1907. Office 
35 Wall St., N. Y. City; residence 185 East Boston 
Post Road, Mamaroneck, N. Y. 



322 



John Daniel Lyons 

Admitted N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, Mar., 191 7. 
Residence Rye Beach, Rye, N. Y. 



323 



Hurlbert McAndrew 

Born Plattsburg, N. Y., Dec. 3, 1892, son of George 
J. McAndrew, born Forestville, N. Y., Dec. 20, 1859, 
died Mamaroneck, N. Y., Aug. 23, 1916, and Sylvia 
(Hurlbert) McAndrew, born Forestville, March, 1866. 
Attended Mt. Vernon Public School, 1900-03; gradu- 
ated Mamaroneck High School, 1909; graduated 
N. Y. University, A.B., 1913; graduated Columbia 
University Law School, LL.B., 1917. Took Bar 
examination, N. Y. City, June 26, 191 7; admitted 
N. Y. Bar, Brooklyn, Oct., 1917. With Curtis, 
Mallet-Prevost & Colt, since 191 7. Member Phi 
Beta Kappa Fraternity and N. Y. University Alumni 
Assn. Unmarried. Republican. Episcopalian. Re- 
sident town of Rye since 1903. Office 30 Broad St., 
N. Y. City ; residence 134 Prospect Ave., Mamaroneck. 



324 



Clarence L. Burger 

Date and place of admission to N. Y. Bar not 
ascertained. Former resident town of Rye. Office 
2 Rector St., N. Y. City. 



325 



William Herrmann 

Date and place of admission to N. Y. Bar not 
ascertained. Occupied office First National Bank 
building, Port Chester, N. Y., July, 1914-May, 1916. 
Former resident Port Chester. 



326 



Charles T. Green 

Date and place of admission to N. Y. Bar not 
ascertained. Resided Washington St., Port Chester, 
N. Y., several years ago. Office 60 Liberty St., N. 
Y. City. 



327 



"It is a secret worth knowing that lawyers rarely go to law. 
Moses Crowell. 



329 



Appendix 



County Judges of Westchester County 

The names below are those of the presiding judges. After 1778 
they were called "first " judges. After 1846 there was but one judge 
of this court, known as the county judge. Prior to 1846, this court 
was known as the court of common pleas, and after that year as 
the county court. No sessions of the court were held between 1776 
and 1778. The date of appointment or election is given. Some 
of the early names or dates may not be accurate. 



John Pell, Pelham, .... 


• Aug. 25, 


1688 


Caleb Heathcote, Mamaroneck, . 




1695 


WilUam Willett, Harrison, . 




1721 


Frederick Philipse, Yonkers, 


. Nov. 2, 


1735 


Samuel Purdy, Rye, .... 


. Jan. 22, 


1752 


John Thomas, Rye, .... 


May 8, 


1755 


Lewis or Louis Morris, Morrisania, 


May 8, 


1777 


Robert Graham, White Plains, . 


. Feb. 17, 


1778 


Stephen Ward, East Chester, 


. May 6, 


1784 


Ebenezer Lockwood, Poundridge, 


. Mar. 15, 


1791 


Jonathan G. Tompkins, Scarsdale, 


. Feb. 16, 


1793 


Ebenezer Purdy, North Salem, . 


. Feb. 23, 


1797 


Jonathan G. Tompkins, Scarsdale, 




1798 


EHjah Lee, Yorktown, 


. Jan. 20, 


1802 


John Watts, New Rochelle, 


. Mar. 29, 


1802 


Caleb Tompkins, Scarsdale, 


. June 8, 


1807 


William Jay, Bedford, 


. June 7, 


1820 


Caleb Tompkins, Scarsdale, 


. Feb. 10, 


1823 



331 



Appendix 



Robert S. Hart, Bedford, . 
Albert Lockwood, Sing Sing, 
John W. Mills, White Plains, 
Wm. H. Robertson, Bedford, 
Robert Cochran, White Plains, 
Silas D. GiflFord, Morrisania, 
Isaac N. Mills, Eastchester, 
Smith Lent, Ossining, 
Wm. Popham Piatt, White Plains, 
Frank L. Young, Ossining, 





. Mar. 27, 1846 




. June 1847 




. Nov. 1 85 1 




. Nov. 1855 




. Nov. 1867 




. Nov. 1871 




. Nov. 1883 




. Nov. 1895 




. Nov. 1901 


. 


. Jany. 19 16 



II 



Surrogates of Westchester County 



These were appointed prior to 1846, and after that year elected. 
The ofSce and court of the Surrogate were established in the cotmty 
building at White Plains, May 10, 1833. The date of appointment 
or election is given. Some of the early names or dates may not be 
accurate. 



Gilbert Willett, Harrison, . 
John Barton, Westchester, . 
Caleb Fowler, North Castle, 
David Daton, North Castle, 
Richard Hatfield, Wliite Plains, . 
Philip Pell, Jr., Pelham, 
Elias Newman, . . . . 

Samuel Youngs, Moimt Pleasant, 
Edward Thomas, Rye, 
Samuel Youngs, Mount Pleasant, 
Ezra Lockwood, Poundridge, 
Samuel Youngs, Mount Pleasant, 
Ezra Lockwood, Poundridge, 
Samuel Youngs, Mount Pleasant, 
Henry White, Yorktown, 
Samuel Youngs, Mount Pleasant, 
Ebenezer White, Jr., Yorktown, . 
Jonathan Ward, Eastchester, 
Alexander H. Wells, Sing Sing, 



1730 
Feb. 9, 1754 
June 10, 1761 
Jtme 19, 1766 
Mar. 23, 1778 
Mar. 13, 1787 

1796 
Oct. 31, 1800 
Jan. 28, 1802 
Feb. 19, 1807 
Mar. 10, 1808 
Feb. 16, 1810 
Feb. 12, 1811 
Mar. 19, 18 13 
Mar. 16, 1815 
July 8, 1819 
Feb. 17, 1821 
Mar. 23, 1828 
Feb. 7, 1840 



332 



Appendix 





. May I, 1844 




. June 1847 




. Nov. 1855 




. Feb. 5, 1862 




. Nov. 1862 




. Nov. 1870 




. Nov. 1894 




. Nov. 1906 




. Nov. 1912 



Frederick J, Coffin, Somers, 
Lewis C. Piatt, White Plains, 
Robert H. Coles, New Rochelle, 
Silas D. Gifford, Alorrisania, 
John W. Mills, White Plains, 
Owen T. Coffin, Peekskill, . 
Theodore H. Silkman, Yonkers, 
Frank V. Millard, Tarrytown, 
William A. Sawyer, Port Chester, 

III 

Justices of the Court of Sessions of West- 
chester County- 
After 1846, two justices of the peace were elected for the term of 
one year, to hold courts of sessions with the county judge, having cer- 
tain criminal jurisdiction. The last sitting of this court was in the 
county court room, White Plains, December 31, 1895. From 1683, 
the date of the establishment of this court, to the first date below 
given, the justices were so many in number that it would be difficult, 
if not impossible, to give a correct list thereof. 

Samuel Tompkins, Yorktown, 1858-59. 

William Miller, Mount Vernon, 1858-62, 1865-66. 

James Parker, Morrisania, 1860-61-62. 

L. Leonce Coudert, Pelham, 1863. 

James Williamson, South Salem, 1863-64. 

Thomas J. Byrne, Westchester, 1864-65. 

David K. Conklin, PeekskiU, 1866-67-68. 

Myron B. Silkman, Bedford, 1867-77. 

Stephen Billings, Cortlandt, 1869, 1886. 

William C. Howe, Sing Sing, 1870-86. 

Cyrus Lawrence, 2d, Lewisboro, 1877-81. 

James S. See, North Tarrytown, 1881-82. 

John H. Baxter, Peekskill, 1883-91. 

Hanford M. Henderson, Port Chester, 1887-88, 1891. 

Henry J. Carey, City Island, 1889. 

John J. Crennan, New Rochelle, 1890. 

John C. Holmes, Cross River, 1891-92-93. 

333 



Appendix 

James C. Travis, 1891. 
Walter H. Jones, Yorktown, 1892. 
James Hyatt, Somers, 1893-94. 
Walter H. Haight, New Castle, 1894. 
Edward B. Kear, Yorktown, 1895. 
Robert J. Bellew, Tuckahoe, 1895. 



IV 

Town Officers 

SUPERVISORS 



Joseph Theall, 
Deliverance Brown, 
John Frost, 
Thomas Merritt, 
Joseph Purdy, 
John Hoyt, 
Joseph Budd, 
John Hoyt, 
Joseph Budd, . 
Samuel Purdy, 
John Thomas, 
Samuel Purdy, 
Samuel Tredwell, 
Samuel Purdy, 
William Willett, 
Jonathan Brown, 
Timothy Wetmore, 
John Thomas, 
Timothy Wetmore, 
John Thomas, Jr., 
Ebenezer Haviland, 
John Thomas, . 
Jesse Hunt, 
Gilbert Brondige, 
Thomas Bowne, 
Bartholomew Hadden 
John Guion, 
John Brown, 



1691 

1701 

1703 

1705-06 

1707-08 

1711 

1713-16 

1717-19 

1720-22 

1723-39 

1740-43 

1744-46 

1747 

1749 

1750-61 

1762-63 

1764 

1765-67 

1768 

1769-70 

1771-72 

1783-84 
1785-86 
1788 

1789-95 
1796 
1797 
1799 



334 



Appendix 

Ihomas Brown, i8qq 

JohnGuion 1801-04 

Samuel Marvin, 1805-06 

Samuel Armor, 1807-08 

Samuel DeaU, 1809-22 

David Kirby, 1823-34 

JohnTheall ,835-37 

David Kirby, 13,3 

Willett Moseman, 1839-40 

John Theall, 13^1 

James D. Halsted, 1842-45 

J. C. Roosevelt Brown, 1846-47 

D. Jerome Sands, 1848 

John S. Provoost, ....... 1849 



William Horton. 



[850 



Newberry D. Halsted, 1851-53 

John S. Provoost, . ...... 1854 

John E. Marshall, .' . . . . . . 1855-59 

John W. Lounsbury, ...... 1861 

James D. Halsted, 1862-64 

Wilson D. Slawson, 1865 

Thomas K. Downing, ...... 1866-68 

Howard C. Cady, ....... 1869-70 

Amherst Wight, Jr., 1871-72 

George W. Wesley, ....... 1873 

Samuel William Johnson, ..... 1874-82 

William Ryan, ....... 1883-87 

George W. Carpenter, ...... 1888-91 

Addison Johnson, ....... 1892-94 

Clarence Sackett, ....... 1894-97 

Charles Eldredge, ....... 1898-1900 

Edwin F. Studwell, ...... 1901-09 

Joseph Haight, ....... 1910-13 

George J. Werner, 1914-18 

TOWN CLERKS 

John Brondig, 1678-93 

John Hoit, 1696 

Samuel Lane, ....... 1697-1736 

Samuel Purdy, 1737-46 

335 



Appendix 



Ebenezer Kniffen, . 
Samuel Purdy, 
Gilbert Bloomer, 
Samuel Purdy, 
Ebenezer Knififen, . 
Dr. Ebenezer Haviland, 
John Thomas, 
John Merritt, 
John Doughty, 
Ezrahiah Wetmore, 
Philemon Halsted, Jr., 
Charles Field, 
William Bush, 
John Theall, . 
Josiah Bulkley, 
Joseph H. Anderson, 
Horace B. Smith, 
Joshua Lyon, 
William Provoost, 
Jonathan J. Deall, 
Edward Field, 
WilHam Horton, 
Charles W. Field, 
Eli Curtis, 
Charles G. Pixley, 
Edward H. Purdy, 
H. M. Henderson, 
Edwin Horton, 
J. W. McCarty, 
C. G. Pixley, . 
Edwin Horton, 
Herman L. Marshall, 
Charles DeMott, 
Purdy G. Sands, 
Charles DeMott, 
Wilfred P. Purdy, 
John C. Halpin, 
Thomas M. Parker, 
George Grandison, 
A. W. W. MarshaU. 



1747 

1748-50 

1751 

1752 

1753-69 

1770-72 

1783-86 

1788-93 

1794-99 

1800-01 

1802-14 

1815-24 

1825 

1826 

1827-28 

1829-32 

1833-36 

1838-39 

1840 

1841-45 

1846 

1847-48 

1849-52 

1853-55 

1856-58 

1859 

1860-62 

1862-64 

1865-66 

1867-68 

1869-70 

1871-73 

1874-75 

1876-85 

1886 

1887-89 

1890-94 

1894-95 

1896-1900 

1901-05 



336 



Appendix 



Joseph Haight, 
Charles W. Stevens, 
Charles O. Derby, . 



1906-09 
1910-13 
1914-18 



JUSTICES OF THE PEACE 



John Budd, 
Joseph Horton, 
Joseph Theale, 
Daniel Straing, 
Deliverance Brown, 
Joseph Purdy, 
Caleb Heathcote, 
Joseph Budd, 
Isaac Denham, 
Jonathan Haight, 
Samuel Purdy, 
Caleb Hyatt, 
Beniamin Brown, 
Charles Theall, 
Daniel Purdy, 
Francis Doughty, 
Thomas Fowler, 
John Thomas, 
Samuel Tredwell, 
Adam Seaman, 
Samuel Thorn, 
Samuel Brown, 
John Lyon, 
George Lane, . 
John Budd, 
John Bloomer, 
Gilbert Bloomer, 
Jonathan Purdy, 
James Stevenson, 
Lewis M 'Donald, 
Moses Owen, 
Abraham Guion, 
Hachaliah Brown, 
Ebenezer Kniflfen, 



1663 

1678-88 

1685-1710 

1693 
1698-1716 

1703-15 

1705-18 

1710-22 

1710-17 

1720-31 

1720-53 

1726-53 

1728-46 

1728 

1734-67 

1734-52 

1734 

1738-75 

1738-45 

1739 

1739 

1740-48 

1740 

1741-45 

1743 

1746-69 

1753 

1754 
1755 



1756-69 



337 



Appendix 



EHsha Hyatt, i757-6i 

Gabriel Lynch, 1765 

John Hyatt, ........ 

Joseph Budd, ....... 

HachaUah Brown, Jr., ...... 

John Thomas, 1769 

HachaUah Brown, Jr., 

Charles Theall, 

Roger Lyon, ........ 

Abraham Hatfield, ....... 

Samuel Purdy, ....... 

William Anderson, . 1773 

Thomas Bowne I793 

Jonathan Bailey, ....... 

John Brown, 1799 

Isaac Sniffin, ....... 

Samuel Marvin, ....... 

Rivers Morrell, 1812 

Nehemiah Brown, . . . • • • .1821 

David Munson, ....... 

John H. Smith 1830 

William T. Praul, 

Abraham Guion, . • • • • • .1831 

James W. Brown, ....... 

Thomas W. Garniss, 1832 

Horace B. Smith, ....... 

David H. Mead, 

John H. Smith, 1833 

Rivers Morrell 

David H. Mead, 

Ralph Marshall 

John H. Smith, 1834 

Peter W. Edgel, 

David H. Mead 

James W. Brown, ....... 

Jonathan H. Gidney 1835 

George W. Smith, 

James W. Brown, ....... 1836 

Monmouth Lyon, ....... 

Darius W. Todd, 1837 

338 



Appendix 



David H. Mead, 

Merritt Brown, 

Peter W. Edgel 1838 

Thomas Purdy, ....... 

Oliver F. Green, 

Darius W. Todd, 1839 

Samuel Haviland, . ...... 

Josiah Bulkley, ....... 

Alexander Ennis, ....... i860 

E. Sours, 

A. Van Amringe, ....... 

E. P. Morrell, 

A. Van Amringe, ....... 1861 

Ch.W. Field, 1862 

Joseph G. Fowler, 1863 

J. Henry Gilbert, 

Shubael R. Strang, 1864 

G. H. Haight, 1865 

R. F. Brundage, 1866 

H. M. Henderson, 1867 

S. R. Strang, 1868 

G. R. Haight, 1869 

Isaac C. Sheldon, 1870 

Hanford M. Henderson, 1871 

Shubael R. Strang, 1872 

Noah Tompkins, 1873 

WilUam Ryan, 1874 

James Dusenburry, • • .... 

Hanford M. Henderson, 1875 

James Dusenburry, 1876 

Thomas C. Palmer, 1877 

WilUam Ryan, 1878 

Hanford M. Henderson, 1879 

Abram Fowler, ^^^° 

Thomas C. Palmer 1881 

Matthew Connolly, ^^^^ 

Hanford M. Henderson, 1883 

Richard C. Downing ^^^4 

Thomas C. Palmer, 18S5 

Matthew Connolly, 1^36 

339 



Appendix 



Hanford M. Henderson 1887 

Richard C. Downing, 1888 

wStephen A. Marshall 1889 

Thomas C. Palmer, ...... 

Stephen A. Marshall, 1890 

Bernard Baruch, ....... 

Charles Blaney, ....... 189 1 

Bernard Baruch, ....... 1892 

John J. Cleary, 1 893 

Stephen A. Marshall, 1894 

Thomas M. Parker, ...... 1895 

Bernard Baruch, 1896 

Augustus V. Hains, 1897 

Wilson F. Wakefield, 1898 

Stephen A. Marshall, 1899 

Wilson F. Wakefield, 1901 

Patrick Kane, ...... 

Arthur R. Wilcox, 1903 

Stephen A. Marshall, ...... 

Patrick Kane, 1905 

William N, Edwards 

William A. Davidson, ...... 1907 

Walter A. Ferris, 

Adolph Hoerr, 1909 

Solomon M. Ireland, ...... 

Malcolm Merritt, . 191 1 

Thomas F. J. Connolly, 

Moses Miller, 

Louis Taylor, . . . . - . -1913 

Edwin C. Thomas, 

Malcolm Merritt 1915 

Evans Ward, ....... 

Edwin C. Thomas, 19 17 

Edgar L. Howe, 

V 

Port Chester Village 

The first election for village oflScers was held May 26, 1868, at 
which were elected Philip Rolhaus, president; D. Jerome Sands, 
Leander Horton, Samuel Kelley, William Provoost, James Shea, and 

340 



Appendix 

William P. Lyon, trustees; E. L. Smith, treasurer, and Henry P. Sea- 
man, collector. Herman L. Marshall was afterward appointed clerk. 
The presidents have been as follows: 



Philip Rolhaus, 


1868-70 


Joseph G. Fowler, 


1870-72 


Stephen A. Marshall, 


1872-74 


Edward F. Mathews, 


1874-76 


John W. McCarty, 


1876-78 


William P. Abendroth, 


1878-82 


John W. Lounsbury, 


1882-84 


D. Jerome Sands, 


1884-86 


Edward F. Mathews, 


1886-88 


Norton J. Sands, 


1888-90 


John Ryan, 


1890-92 


John W. McCarty, 


1892-94 


George R. Read, 


1894-98 


John W. McCarty, 


I 898-1900 


Samuel Comly, 


1900-04 


Frank H. Brown, 


1904-06 


Leander Horton, 


1906-08 


Franklin P. Perkins, 


1908-09 


Edward V. Brophy, 


1909-10 


Norton J. Sands, 


1910-12 


William Ryan, 


1912-14 


Walter A. Ferris, 


1914-16 


Warren J. Martin, 


1916-18 


Arthur R. Wilcox, 


1918- 



Chapter 106 of the laws of 1906 created the offices of police justice 
and acting or assistant police justice of the village. These offices 
have been held as follows: 



POLICE JUSTICES 


Wilson F. Wakefield, 


1906-08 


Arthur R. Wilcox, 


1908-10 


Thomas F. J. ConnoUy, 


1910-12 


Walter A. Ferris, 


1912-14 


Louis C. A. Lewin, 


1914-15 


Edward V. Brophy, 


1915-17 


John L. Coward, 


1917- 


341 





Appendix 

ASSISTANT POLICE JUSTICES 



William Baruch, 


1906-10 


Robert H. George, 


1910-12, 1915-17 


Louis C. A. Lewin, 


1912-14 


John L. Coward, 


1914-15 


Malcolm Merritt, 


19 17- 


VI 




Rye Village 


PRESIDENTS 




William H. Parsons, 


1904-05 


Marselis C. Parsons, 


1905 


Charles Eldredge, 


1905-06 


Justus A. B. Cowles, 


1906-10 


Solomon M. Ireland, 


1910-11 


Clarence Sackett, 


1911-13 


Theodore Fremd, 


1913- 



William N. Edwards has been police justice since the date of his 
first election, June 9, 1908. 

VII 

Mamaroneck Village 



PRESIDENTS 




Thomas L. Rushmore, 


1895-98 


Joseph H. McLoughlin, 


1898-1900 


John Carroll, 


1900-02 


Daniel Warren, 


1902-11 


John F. Hunter, 


19 1 1- 



342 



Index of Biographies 



Allen, William Porter i86 

Andrews, George Clinton i88 

Banks, Charles Green i8o 

Barlow, Peter Townsend 187 

Barnes, George Henry 199 

Baruch, Edward 270 

Baruch, Solomon 267 

Baruch, William 253 

Beers, James Edward 103 

Boardman, Philip W 282 

Boothby, John William 183 

Bovard, Everett Warner 295 

Bradford, Alexander Warfield 100 

Brophy, Charles Basil 259 

Brown, Nehemiah 81 

Buckner, Emory Roy 274 

Burger, Clarence L 325 

Burger, Timothy P 102 

Bums, Roy Livingston 311 

Carlton, Schuyler Casemate 211 

Casey, Charles E 304 

Chrystie, T. Ludlow 230 

Clapp, John Henry 176 

Conklin, William L 162 

Connolly, Thomas Francis Joseph 288 

Cook, William Wilson 192 

Cowan, Stuart William 204 

Coward, John Lockhart 273 

Cowles, Charles Pitkin 190 

Cowles, Edward Boies 151 

343 



Index of Biographies 



Cowles, Edward Pitkin 97 

Cowles, Justus Albert Boies 200 

Cromwell, Charles Thome 93 

Curtis, Thomas C, Jr 275 

Dalton, Charles Francis 264 

Davidson, William Allen 251 

Derby, Augustin 280 

Dillon, Maurice 140 

Dix, John Adams 89 

Downing, Richard Coe 108 

Draper, Alonzo 154 

Ellison, Bruce 297 

Emmet, Grenville Temple 252 

Erving, John 126 

Erving, William Van Rensselaer 236 

Fallon, William Joseph 283 

Ferris, Walter Andrew 262 

Fisher, Harry Martin 281 

Flandreau, Eugene Lee 258 

Fleming, Charles Edward 268 

Eraser, Arthur Andrew 316 

Friend, Arthur Sumner 292 

Fry, George^Gardiner 208 

George, Robert Henry 132 

Gilleaudeau, Raymond 301 

Goldae, Simon 313 

Gordon, William S 239 

Graham, Robert 64 

Graves, Harmon Sheldon 232 

Green, Charles T 327 

Hackett, Raymond Edmund 306 

Haight, Daniel 106 

Halsted, Jacob 157 

Hatfield, Richard 71 

Henderson, Hanford Mead 129 

Herriman, Samuel Cochran 212 

344 



Index of Biographies 



Herrmann, WilKam 326 

Holden, Harry Dewey 312 

Holzworth, John Michael 308 

Howe, Edgar Lincoln 284 

Howland, Silas Wilder 279 

Hunt, Richard Carley 29 1 

Jaeckel, Albert Francis, 2d 305 

Jamison, David 54 

Janes, Robert Foster 271 

Jay, John 33 

Johnson, Samuel WilUam 116 

Johnson, William Samuel 202 

Josephthal, Sidney L 254 

Kane, Arthur Michael Augustine 260 

Kelly, Daniel Edmimd 272 

Kelly, James Allison 240 

Kene, Cornelius Eugene i49 

Keogh, Martin Jerome 43 

Laimbeer, Francis Effingham 203 

Lawrence, Frank 250 

Lawrence, Frank Richard ^75 

Lehman, Irving 4^ 

Lewin, Louis Clemens August 303 

Loder, Noah, Jr i<^7 

Lyon, DeWitt Harris 221 

Lyon, Samuel E ^3 

Lyons, John Daniel 3^3 

McAndrew, Hurlbert 324 

McDonald, John ^° 

Main, Joseph Midaugh 210 

Mallory, Philip Rogers 296 

Marino, Antonio Joseph 3^7 

Mason, Jarvis Woolverton ^95 

Maule, John Penrose ^47 

Maurice, Albert T 2°° 

Maurice, Stewart ^22 

Mead, Spencer Percival ^^3 

Meighan Burton Charles 

345 



Index of Biographies 



Milbank, Dtmlevy 257 

Miller, Douglas Johnston 298 

Miller, Moses 299 

Moffat, R. Burnham 159 

Mulwitz, Jacob Laffer 321 

Munro, Peter Jay 74 

O'Brien, William Henry 314 

Ogden, Cadwalader Evans 138 

Ogden, David B 178 

Parsons, Henry 173 

Parsons, Herbert 224 

Parsons, John Edward 118 

Peck, Ernest Ferris Hibbard 165 

Peck, Jerome Alvord 196 

Pell, Williamson 263 

Porter, David Boies 207 

Post, John Jacob 128 

Prime, William Cowper 219 

Purdon, John 198 

Purdy, Samuel 59 

Putnam, Albert William 246 

Rand, William 218 

Remsen, William 318 

Roome, William Washington Smith 1 56 

Ropes, Charles Henry 184 

Rosan, Robert Rudolph 285 

Sawyer, William Allen 50 

Schell, Edward Heartt 134 

Schmidt, Frederick George 278 

Schupp, Herman A 290 

Seybel, Daniel Edward 153 

Shea, James 220 

Sheafe, Charles Minot, Jr 255 

Sherman, Arthur Outram 216 

Sherman, Frederick William 193 

Sherman, Roger 310 

Sherman, Thomas Townsend 181 

Simpson, Henry William 209 

Slater, George Atwood 213 

346 



Index of Biographies 



Smith, Rawson Lockwood 163 

Smith, William Harvey, Jr 293 

Sporborg, William Dick 238 

Squires, Ebenezer i^n 



Steel, Richard. 



169 



Stevens, Charles Wesley 269 

Strater, Charles Helme 287 

SulUvan, William Matheus 261 

Symmers, James Keith 228 

Tanner, William F 320 

Taylor, Archibald Henderson 179 

Taylor, Benjamin Irving 241 

Taylor, Louis 235 

Taylor, Roy 276 

Thomas, Edward 73 

Thomas, John 61 

Thome, Samuel, Jr 245 

Van Rensselaer, William Patterson 91 

Van Winkle, William Mitchell 302 

Vickers, Jonathan F 79 

Wainwright, Jonathan Mayhew 205 

Wakefield, Wilson Faron 135 

Walsh, William Aloysius 243 

Webb, Erie W 266 

Wein, Samuel 307 

Wetmore, Thomas 76 

Wetmore, Timothy 66 

White, Howard E 234 

Wight, Amherst 85 

Wight, Amherst, Jr no 

Wilcox, Arthur Russell 248 

Willett, Gilbert 58 

Willett, William 56 

Williams, Waldron 160 

Willson, James W 95 

Wilson, Howard Gilbert 3^9 

Young, William Charles 309 

Zimmerman, John Henry 315 

347 






LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 





014 224 388 A 



